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HISTORY 



Town of Wolcott 

(CONNECTICUT) 
FROM I73 I TO 1874, 



WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE 



CENTENARY MEETING, SEPTEMBER ioth AND iith, 1873 

AND WITH THE GENEALOGIES OF THE FAMILIES 

OF THE TOWN. 



By REV. SAMUEL ORCUTT. 



WATERBURY, CONN.: 

PRESS OF THE AMERICAN PRINTING COMPANY. 

1874. 



TO THE FAMILIES 

OF THE 

ANCIENT PARISH OF FARM INGBURY. 

NOW WOLCOTT, 
AND THEIR DESCENDANTS AT HOME AND ABROAD, 

■Stljis IWork is Jnambcii, 

WITH SINCERE RESPECT AND ESTEEM, 

BY THE AUTHOR. 



O U 



PREFACE 



My acquaintance with the Town of Wolcott began in 
May, 1872. After preaching there a few Sabbaths, with 
no expectation of continuing in the place, I became in- 
terested in the history of the church by discovering that 
its Centenary would occur in 1873. I soon after accept- 
ed an invitation to supply the pulpit for one year. After 
a few months' labor in the parish, the idea of writing a 
brief history of the Congregational Church and Society 
was entertained, and the work was commenced with the 
expectation that it would not exceed two hundred pages. 
From that beginning the present volume has grown, and 
is, therefore, a little different in plan and style from what 
it would have been if the original design had included so 
large a field. 

The work necessary to the making of this book has 
been performed with the greatest pleasure, though pros- 
ecuted, much of the time, under circumstances of disad- 
vantage and discouragement. Now that it is done, I 
have no apologies to offer ; nor have I any regrets to ex- 
press, save that the people who form the subject of the 
volume have not received from my pen as high com- 
mendation as they deserve. 

The labor has been performed within the space of two 
years, and has rather aided than hindered parish duties. 
In the commencement, it was as the Spring-time, full of 



iv PREFACE. 

buds and blossoms of hope ; but in the closing* it has 
seemed as Autumn. A shade of sadness has touched my 
mind as I have taken leave of one and another, individu- 
als and families, when they passed from study and re- 
search ; for, after so much thought expended upon them, 
it seemed as if they were friends and neighbors among 
whom I had spent my days, and I was at last attending 
their funeral services. The summing up of life, for each 
one of them, has seemed written in great characters be- 
fore the mind, in the proverbial expression : " Born, lived, 
and died." And wherever the mind looks in review of the 
past, the epitome of history seems recorded in the repe- 
tition of this form. Yet in remembering the good of the 
past (and in fulfilling the responsive feelings of the heart), 
it is a comfort, if nothing more can be said, to repeat 
this form, and in it cherish the memory of those who have 
completed the routine of its unchangeable decrees : — 
" Born, lived, and died." 

The style of the work is without ornament, because the 
times and the character of the persons forming the sub- 
ject-matter of the history are better represented thus 
than otherwise. Of the times and circumstances through 
which the early settlers passed, there can be but one 
opinion : they were rigorously hard. Although the num- 
ber who lived to be over three score and ten is large, yet 
to most of them, life meant hard work with many priva- 
tions, plain food with scanty allowance at times, little 
clothing, and that of the plainest kind, restricted to the 
fashion of two seasons. Of the character of these ances- 
tors, a good summary, in a few words, is given by Dr. 
Henry Bronson, in his History of Waterbury : "Individ- 
ually, our Puritan ancestors were very much such men as 



PREFACE. V 

we are ; little better, no worse. They were bred in a rig- 
orous age, and were exposed to peculiar hardships, dan- 
gers, and temptations. Yet, on the whole, they, like us, 
were average men."* In one thing, however, it seems to 
me they have the pre-eminence, namely, in faithfulness 
to moral and religious convictions. Modesty, honesty, 
and integrity in the profession of the Christian religion, 
might have been written over nearly every man's door, 
to be read by all the world. 

It will be observed that the genealogy of a few families 
is wanting. The cause of this, in every case, is the want 
of sufficient information to make a respectable represen- 
tation of the family. The Blakeslee family was among the 
first in the parish, but no records could be obtained until 
it was too late to introduce them in their proper order. 
I have hope of including them in the history of another 
town where their number is larger than in Wolcott. The 
Ponds and the Baileys were influential and leading fami- 
lies for some years. They are all now gone from the 
town, and no records have been obtained of them. A 
few families early in the parish, disappeared so soon that 
no connected account of them could be obtained. Also, 
a few came in about 1800, tarried a few years, then joined 
the grand army which for two or three generations has 
been steadily marching Westward. 

The limited number of subscribers, and hence of copies 
printed, has compelled the laying aside of all illustrations, 
after considerable preparation had been made for their 
publication. This has been to myself and others a source 
of great regret. 

In acknowledging my obligations to the very kind 

* Page 323. 



vi PREFACE. 

friends who have rendered special aid in this work, it is 
pleasant to say that all have cheerfully contributed infor- 
mation and encouragement as they were able, and have 
urged that the book be made as perfect as possible, even 
though the price of it should be increased. In fulfilling 
this last desire its publication has been delayed nearly six 
months. 

I am specially indebted to Rev. Joseph Anderson, pas- 
tor of the First Congregational Church of Waterbury, 
who has taken much interest in the work from the first, 
and has rendered very valuable assistance. Also, to 
Frederick B. Dakin, Esq., of the Waterbury American, a 
practical book-maker, under whose supervision the vol- 
ume was printed. The following persons have also ren- 
dered special service to the work : Messrs. A. Bronson 
Alcott, Frank B. Sanborn, and William Ellery Channing, 
of Concord, Mass. ; Judge William E. Curtiss, of New 
York ; Hon. Leman W. Cutler, of Watertown ; Hon. 
Birdsey G. Northrop, of New Haven ; E. Bronson Cook, 
Esq., Editor of the Waterbury American ; Hon. Elihu 
Burritt, of New Britain ; Rev. William H. Moore, of Ber- 
lin ; Rev. Heman R. Timlow, and Messrs. Gad Andrews, 
Simeon H. Norton, and Isaac Burritt, of Southington ; 
Rev. William R. Eastman, of Plantsville ; the late Ralph 
L. Smith, Esq., of Guilford ; Mr. Aaron G. Atkins, of 
Chenango County, N. Y. ; Mr. Lucas C. Hotchkiss, of 
Meriden ; Mrs. Lucina Holmes and Mrs. Lucina Lindsley, 
of Waterbury. 

Waterbury, November ioth, 1874. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

FIRST SOCIETY IN WOLCOTT. 

First Settlers — Formation of the First Society — Assembly Act — Warn- 
ings — First Meeting — Adjourned Meetings. 

CHAPTER II. 

BUILDING A MEETING HOUSE. 
Committee to Stick the Stake — Notification — Order of the Court — The 
Deed — The House Built — Officers Chosen in 1770, 1771, 1772. 1773, 
1774 

CHAPTER III. 

OBTAINING A PASTOR. 
Grant of a Tax — First Call, Mr. Jackson — Second Call, Mr. Gillet — Or- 
ganization of the Church — Declarations — First Members — The Ordi- 
nation of Mr. Gillet. 

CHAPTER IV. 

MR. GILEET'S MINISTRY. 

Graduate of Yale — His Father — A Library — Church Discipline — Revi- 
val — Results, Repairs on Meeting House, Singing Additions — Mr. Gil- 
let at Home — His Salary — He closes his Labors — Doings of the Coun- 
cil. 

CHAPTER V. 
MR. woodward's ministry. 

The Call — Letter of Acceptance — Subscription — His Labors — Comple- 
tion of the Meeting House — Dedication — Mr. Woodward's Salary — 
Rate Bill — His Death. 

CHAPTER VI. 

REV. MR. HART'S AND REV. MR. KEYS' MINISTRY. 
The Call — His Ordination — The Ball — His Labors — His Death — Mr. 



viii C S . 

Keys — Urgent Invitation; 1 — Dr. Beecher's Sermon — 

Sunday School — Efficiency of the Church — Mr. Keys' Resignation and 
Dismissal. 

CHAPTER VII. 

WITHOUT A PASTOR. 

The Meeting House full — Payment of Debts — Improvement in Singing 

— Deacon Isaac Bronson — His Gratuitous Labors Five Years — Journal 
of Rev. Erastus Scranton — The Revival — Dr. Wm. A. Alcott — Sun- 
day School — Procuring a Bell — Subscription — Improvement of the 
Meeting House — Rev. Nathan Shaw — Rev. Seth Sacket — Rev. W. F. 
Vail — Pew-holders according to Age. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

MINISTRY OF REVDS. J. D. CHAPMAN AND AARON C. BEACH. 

Anti-slavery — Burning of the Meeting House — Second Society Organized 

— Efforts to Rebuild the Church — A Council Called, its Findings — Mr. 
Chapman Dismissed — Difficulties Settled — Rev. Zephaniah Swift — 
Rev. A. C. Beach — His Settlement — His Labors — His Dismissal. 

CHAPTER IX. 

REVDS. STEPHEN ROGERS, LENT S. HOUGH, W. C. FISKE. 

Mr. Rogers' Settlement — His Illness — He Resigns — Rev. Lent S. 
Hough — Letter of Commendation — A Communion Service — Revised 
Articles of Faith — Mr. Hough Closes his Labors — Rev. Mr. Fiske — 
He Resigns after Three Years — Rev. S. Orcult — The Home Missionary 
Society. 

CHAPTER X. 

OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. 
The List of Ministers — List of Deacons — Clerks of the Church — Moder- 
ators — Clerks of the Society — Treasurers — Prudential Committees — 
School Committer — Members of the Church. 



PART II.— THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

CHAPTER I. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY. 

Episcopalians Early in Wolcott — Withdrawal from the First Society — 
Call for the First Meeting — Minutes of the First Meeting — Officers — 
Building a House of Worship — A Site Given by the Town — The 
House Built. 



CONTENTS. IX 

CHAPTER II. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH. 

Early Records — A List of Ministers — Clerks — Society Committees — 
Wardens — Vestry Men. 



PART III.— CIVTL HISTORY. 
CHAPTER I. 

THE TOWN INCORPORATED. 

Votes of the Society — A Memorial — Act of the Assembly — The Poor — 
First Town Meeting — Hills of Wolcott — Streams in Wolcott. 

CHAPTER II. 

THE FIRST SETTLERS. 

Farmington Part — Waterbury Part — Wolcott Center in 1S00 — The 
Public Green — The Will Place — Atkins' Will — Woodtick — Hotels — 
Highways. 

CHAPTER III. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

The Districts — Expenses — Will of Addin Lewis — Whipping Post — Law 
— Small Pox — Burying Grounds — Yankee Peddlers — Taxes. 

CHAPTER IV. 

ROLL OF HONOR. 

List of Freemen — Town Officers — State Officers — Revolutionary Sol- 
diers — Soldiers in the Late War. 



PART IV.— BIOGRAPHY. 



John Alcock, . . . 231 

Capt. John Alcox, . 233 

A. Bronson Alcott, . . 233 

Dr. Wm. A. Alcott. . 265 

Rev. Wm. P. Alcott. . 27S 

Joseph Atkins, Senr.. . 279 

Dea. Joseph Atkins, . 280 

Rev. A. C. Beach, . 282 

Rev. J. W. Beach, . . 285 

Dea. Isaac Bronson, . 287 
B 



PAGE 

Timothy Bradley, . . 29S 

Rev. James D. Chapman, 300 

Rev. W. C. Fiske, . 302 

Judah Frisbie, . . 303 

Rev. Alexander Gillet, . 313 

Rev. Timothy Gillet, . 322 

Dea. Aaron Harrison, . 326 

Rev. Lucas Hart, . . 330 

Lucas C. Hotchkiss, . 332 

Rev. Lent S. Hough, . 336 



CONTENTS. 



Capt. Heman Hall, 
Ephraim Hall, 
Dr. Ambrose Ives, 
Rev. John Keys, 
Simeon H. Norton, 
Dr. John Potter, 



PAGE. 

333 
3-10 
342 

344 
347 
350 



Rev. Nathan Shaw, 
Seth Thomas, . 
Rev. Benoni Upson, D. D., 
Rev. Henry E. L. Upson, 
Rev. Israel B. Woodward, 



PAGE. 

351 
352 
354 
356 
358 



PART V. — THE CENTENARY MEETING. 

Opening of the Meeting, ........ 377 

Remarks by Rev. A. C. Beach, ....... 378 

" " A. Bronson Alcott, 379 

" Editor E. B. Cook, 381 

" Hon. B. G. Northrop, 385 

" Rev. W. H. Moore 386 

" Simeon H. Norton 389 

List of Aged Persons, ........ 396 

The Centenary Poem, ......... 399 

Wolcott People removed to Meriden, ..... 403 

Isaac Burritt's remarks, ......... 404 

Hon. Elihu Burritt's remarks, ....... 410 

Antiquities, ........... 414 

Judge W. E. Curtiss' remarks, ....... 415 

George W. Seward's '' ........ 416 

Dea. Samuel Holmes' " .... ... 417 

Rev. Mr. Hillard's " 41 S 



PART VI. — GENEALOGIES OF FAMILIES. 



Alcott. 

Atkins, 

Barnes, . 

Bartholomew, 

Beecher, . 

Bradley, 

Brockett, 

Brooks, 

Bronson, . 

Brown, 

Byington, 

Carter, 



PAGE. 




PAGE. 


425 


Churchill, 


471 


439 


Curtiss, 


472 


446 


Fairclough, 


473 


449 


Finch, . 


475 


45Q 


Frisbie, 


477 


453 


Frost, . 


4S0 


45° 


Gillet, 


482 


457 


Hall, . 


485 


45S 


Harrison, 


490 


464 


Higgins, 


497 


465 


Hitchcock. 


499 


467 


Hopkins. 


500 



CONTENTS. 



XI 



Hotchkiss, 

Hough, 

Johnson, . 

Kenea, 

Lane, 

Lewis, . 

Lindsley, 

Merrill, 

Minor, 

Moulthrop, 

Munson, . 

Nichols, 

Norton, 

Pardee, 

Parker, . 

Peck, . 

Plumb. . 

Potter, . 

Pritchard, 

Richards, 



AGE. 
502 


Rogers, 


506 


Root, . 


508 


Rose, 


509 


Scarritt, 


5" 


Seward, 


5^3 


Slater, . 


519 


Smith, 


520 


Somers, 


521 


Sperrv, 


525 


Stevens, 


52S 


Sutliff, 


529 


Thomas, 


53i 


Todd, 


536 


Tuttle, . 


538 


Twitchell 


540 


Upson, . 


541 


Wakelee, 


544 


Warner, 


545 


Wei ton. 


548 


Wiard . 



l'AGE. 

550 

552 

553 
555 
556 
556 
557 
558 

559 
560 
56i 
563 
564 
57o 
575 
57S 
592 
400 

59o 

607 



INTRODUCTION. 



Amidst the rugged hills in the northernmost corner of 
New Haven County, just on the edge of the extensive 
granitic district which spreads through the western part 
of Connecticut, lies the town of Wolcott. It covers an 
area measuring six miles from north to south, by about 
three from east to west, and contains within its limits 
higher ground than any that lies south of it in the State. 
In its external features it is a good representative of 
those rural towns of New England which have failed, for 
whatever reason, to keep abreast of the age in its 
rapid onward movement. On the plateau at the center 
of the town stand two churches of that nondescript style 
of architecture so often seen amidst New England hills ; 
one of them in good repair, through the kindness of out- 
side friends, the other closed and going to decay. The 
Green which lies between these edifices is skirted by 
dwelling-houses, which have the look of having seen bet- 
ter times, — amongst these the remains of a flourishing 
country store, and of an equally flourishing tavern. There 
is the same look of incipient decay upon many of the 
houses of the town, some of which are still waiting for 
their first coat of paint. To one who wanders up and 
down these hills, on a sunless Autumn afternoon, the ef- 
fect is monotonous and depressing, and even in the pleas- 
antest Summer days there is but little that is interesting 
in these remnants of a farm life which must, at its best, 
have been unusually prosaic and dreary. 

Not alone in its external appearance, but also in its 



INTRODUCTION. xiii 

history, is Wolcott a fair specimen of the rural towns of 
Connecticut. There are the same noteworthy features in 
its earlier period ; there is the same steady growth up to 
a certain point ; and then, after the transition from agri- 
culture to manufactures has fully set in in the State at 
large, there is the same gradual decline. The hills of 
Wolcott, although lying midway between Farmington 
and the Manhan or Meadows of the Naugatuck, received 
scarcely a passing thought from the pioneers who settled 
Waterbury, and whose chief attraction in this quarter 
consisted in the open meadow- land which they had here 
discovered stretching along both sides of the river. The 
first permanent settlement by the Farmington colonists 
was made in the valley, and it was only by slow degrees 
that the population spread backward from the central 
basin, and extended up the hills. In course of time, 
however, as more land for farming purposes was required, 
the hill country came to be occupied, and the territory 
lying between Farmington and Waterbury (and there- 
fore called Farming-bury, according to the old Connecti- 
cut method of constructing place-names), naturally took 
the precedence in this respect. As early as 173 1, there 
were residents within the limits of what is now called 
Wolcott, but it was not until eighty-two years after the 
First Church in Waterbury was organized that a separate 
church was established in Farmingbury ; and not until 
1796 was Farmingbury incorporated as a town, and named 
Wolcott (after the Lieutenant-Governor, who, as Speaker 
of the Assembly, gave it the benefit of his casting vote). 
Attaining to the dignity of a separate existence so 
shortly before the great transition which has been referred 
to began, the period during which Wolcott could be con- 
sidered a flourishing town was necessarily brief. As ap- 
pears from several statements in the following pages, it 
attained its highest prosperity during the first decade of the 
present century. The parish was then one of the strong- 
est in the county ; the Society had over two hundred tax- 



XIV INTRODUCTION. 

payers on its list, and the attendance at public worship 
was so large that the meeting-house was habitually- 
crowded. But the population of the town, which num- 
bered nine hundred and fifty-two in 1810, diminished 
steadily from decade to decade, until, in 1870, it num- 
bered only four hundred and ninety-one ; so that at the 
last census Wolcott was in respect of population one of 
the three smallest towns in Connecticut. The population 
of Waterbury, on the other hand, which in 1800 numbered 
3256, but which in 1810 had been reduced to 2784, or less 
than three times that of Wolcott, received within the next 
ten years a fresh impulse from the development of new 
industries within the limits of the town, and has continued 
to increase from year to year, until it now numbers over 
fifteen thousand, and is therefore thirty times as great 
as that of Wolcott. In comparison, then, with its sister 
town, not only, but in comparison with most of the towns 
in the State, Wolcott seems, even to its own inhabitants, 
insignificant, — so much so that the author of this volume 
was, in the course of his inquiries, frequently greeted with 
the remark, "What can you find here of which to make 
a history? What can you say of Wolcott — the last 
place on earth that will interest anybody ?" It was dif- 
ficult, indeed, to make people feel that such a place could 
have a history which any practical person would care to 
hear about. But this goodly volume, with its varied con- 
tents, proves not only that the old town upon the hills, 
now in its decadence, has a history, but that its history is 
of great interest and value, — partly because of the exam- 
ple its people have set of quiet, heroic living, and partly 
because of the impress it has made on the character and 
career of the nation by the men it has sent forth into 
other parts of the land. 

In view of this last-mentioned fact, it is eminently 
proper that so large apart of this volume should be occu- 
pied with biographical sketches of men born and reared 
on the Wolcott hills. These sketches constitute one of 



INTRODUCTION. XV 

the most interesting and valuable portions of the book. 
In the biographies of such men as the Rev. Messrs. Gillet 
and Woodward, Deacons Aaron Harrison and Isaac Bron- 
son, Dr. Ambrose Ives, Seth Thomas, Judah Frisbie — a 
soldier of the Revolution — and, especially, Dr. William 
A. Alcott and Mr. A. Rronson Alcott, we find represent- 
ed the utmost diversity of experiences and the most 
varied types of character. Some of these were remark- 
able for their intellectual ability, others for their enter- 
prise, others for their philanthropic spirit or their piety ; 
but, in the case of most of them, their broad and fruitful 
lives were in striking contrast with the sterile country 
and the contracted sphere in which they had their birth 
and training. In none of these men is the contrast more 
marked than in him whose biography fills the largest 
space in the following pages, but who still lingers 
amongst us, Mr. Bronson Alcott of Concord. It is a 
strange transformation, that by which the farmer boy of 
Spindle Hill, having served his time as a peddler of Yan- 
kee notions in eastern Virginia, becomes the father of ed- 
ucational reform in America, a leader of the Transcend- 
ental school of New England philosophers, the intimate 
friend of Thoreau and Emerson, and the silver-tongued 
conversationalist, whose monologues on lofty themes at- 
tract and charm the selectest spirits of the East and the 
West. 

The biographical portion of the book, though large, is 
not the largest. Of its six hundred pages, a hundred and 
fifty-four are devoted to the history of the Congregation- 
al church and society ; and this is the natural result not 
simply of the plan according to which the work was put 
together, but of the prominent position held by church 
and religion in the life of the people. In this, as in almost 
every old town in New England, the history of the commu- 
nity is to a large extent the history of the church, its 
meeting-houses and its ministers ; and we arc thus taught, 
more impressively than by any deliberate presentation of 



Xvi INTRODUCTION. 

the subject, how the fathers of four score years ago de- 
voted their thought to theology and their lives to relig- 
ion. 

Besides the history of the two churches, and the bio- 
graphical sketches, we have in the volume an account 
of the civil history of the town, a full report of the 
varied exercises of the Centennial Meeting, and a hundred 
and eighty pages of genealogies. In each of these divis- 
ions of the work there is evidence of the industrious 
research and faithful labors of the author. He has 
brought to this work, not indeed a facile pen, but a great 
fondness for antiquarian investigation and a warm sym- 
pathy with old-time phases of life and thought ; and the 
result is a book which is readable not because of its pol- 
ished periods, but because of its pictures of the past, so 
full of local coloring, and for a certain simplicity and 
quaintness of style, imparting to the page that flavor so 
well known to all readers of town and county histories. 
Among such histories this volume is destined to hold a 
creditable place. The extent of the class of books to 
which it belongs, no one can apprehend until he exam- 
ines the work of Ludewig on the "Literature of Ameri- 
can Local History" (published in 1846), and considers 
how many local histories have appeared since that bibli- 
ography was compiled. To this extensive and steadily 
incerasing literature the present volume constitutes a 
substantial addition. It calls attention once more to the 
minutest details of the old Connecticut life ; it increases 
the store of available materials from which the future his- 
tories of America must draw their most valuable facts 
and illustrations. 

In scanning these pages, the reader is impressed not 
only with the prominence of the ecclesiastical element in 
the life of this old community, but also with the influence 
upon the people of the ecclesiastical system to which 
they adhered. The period most fully portrayed was one 
in which church councils, and the consociations which 



INTRODUCTION. XVU 

they represented, were recognized as possessing power. 
Their advisory function had all the force of authority, as 
may be seen in the declaration recorded on pages 120- 
122, and its reception by the Wolcott church and society. 
It was a time in which the fellowship of the churches was 
something more than a name and a formality. In all 
acts of fellowship between the Wolcott church and its 
neighbors, the church in Waterbury took part ; for this 
old parish held to the other the relation of mother and 
sister at once, and made its influence felt in a beneficent 
way. It is to the writer of this a gratifying fact that the 
pleasant relations so long existing have suffered no real 
interruption, and that he is permitted as the representa- 
tive of the older organization, which still seems young 
and vigorous, to bespeak for the younger, as it seems to 
grow weak with age, the attention and sympathy of this 
new and busy generation. As pastor of the " First Church" 
of this whole region, I have a special interest in this his- 
tory of the church and people of Wolcott ; and I take 
pleasure in bidding this volume, in which a precious frag- 
ment of the past is treasured up, God speed on its useful 
errand. Its mission is not alone to the households scat- 
tered over the Wolcott hills ; it should find a place in 
homes and public libraries throughout our broad country. 
Whatever hands it may fall into, may it do a good work- 
in reviving pleasant memories of other days, and render- 
ing vivid to young eyes the sober pictures oi the ances- 
tral time. May it incline us to do honor to those New 
England fathers to whom honor is so largely due ; and 
may it deepen our reverence for the nation by showing 
us how its foundations were laid with toil and sweat and 
patience on New England hills. 

Joseph Anderson. 

Waterbury, Conn., Dec. \bth, 1874. 
C 



INDEX 



Atkins, Esther, , . 48 

Joseph, Sen., 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 

11, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, 27, igo 

194, 199 

Dea. Joseph, 11, 23, 54, 61, 72 

175, 195 

John S., . . . . 99 

Levi, jr., . . . 2, 197 

Samuel, . . . 47, 48 

Alcock, John, Sen., 2, 3, 11, 38 
39, 188, 189, 190, 197 

Alcox, Capt. John, 6, 185, 194, 199 

Daniel, 6, 7, 8, 9, 17, 43, 45. 54 

61, 62, 158, 194, 196 

David, . . 7, 47, *94 

Jesse, jr .158 

Joseph, . . . 194 

James, . . . .194 

David, jr., . . . 158 

Joseph C, . - .158 

J aims, . . . . 158 

Alcott, A. Bronson, . .210 

Dr. Wm. A. . . 108 

Johnson, .... 192 
Thomas, . . . 210 

Bailey, Dea. James, 70, 106, 176 

Beach, Rev. A. C, . 122-125 

David M 158 

Joseph, .... 190 

Barnes, Benjamin, . .188 

Nathan, ... 70 

Stephen, . 6, 7, S. 17, 27, 47 

Barrett, John, 7, 9, 25, 190, 192 
James, .... 190 

Bartholomew, Seth, . 7 



Bartholomew, William, . 108 

Beecher, Capt. Amos, . 7 

Capt. Joseph, 7, 8, 17, 43, 60, 61 

70 

Capt. Walter, . 60, 68, 177 

Dr. Lyman, . 85, S8, 98, 102 

John, jr 99 

Joseph, jr., . . . 177 

Beckwith, Marvin, jr., . 15S 

Bement, Jonathan, . 185 

Benham, Shadrick, . . 1S9 

Isaac, .... 192 

Samuel, .... 192 

Birge, Elijah, . . . 191 

Bishop, Bani, . . 190, 191 

Bradley, Amos, . . 158 

Brockett, Zuer, . . 12, I08 

Brown, Levi, . . . 15S 

Bronson, Daniel, . . 8 

Dea. Isaac, . 40, 41, 48, 99 

100, 101, 102, 106, 179, 193 

Dea. Iracl, 90, 106, 10S, 193 

John, 6, 12, 23, 38, 188. 196, 199 

John, jr., . . -79 

Levi, . . . . 7, 47 

Byington, Daniel, Sen., 5, 6, 7, 11 

25, 199 

Daniel, jr., II, 23, 45, 60, 158, 

t 75, 176, 177, 181, 195 

Samuel, 48, 50, 54, 177, 190 

Carter, Isaac, . . 47 

Jacob. 7, 12, 45, 47, 4S, 53, 54 

61, 68, 181 

Ensign Jonathan. 47, 4S, 53, 54 

61, 70, 176, 177 



18 



INDEX OF N A M E S . 



XIX 



Carter. Mary, ... 48 

Major Preserve, . 71, 138 

Chapman, Rev. James D., 117, 118 

120, 122 

Clark. Rev. Peter G. , . . 166 



Harrison, Aaron, jr., . . 192 

Benjamin, sen., . . 187 
Benjamin, jr., 39, igo, 192, 194 



Cowles, Asa 

Calvin, 

Josiah, 

William, 
Covill, Rev. Mr., 
Curtiss, Abel, . 
Deming, Phineas, 
Dutton, Enos, . 
Downs, Isaac, 
Fenn, Abijah, . 
Finch, Daniel, 
Fiske, Rev YV. C, . 
French, Rev. Wm, G., 
Frisbie, Charles, . 

David, . 

Elijah. 

Ira, 

Judah, 

Levi, 
Frost, David, 
Gaylord, Levi, 



188 
53. 54. 176, 1S1 

. 158 

210 

. 166 

8, 190, 197 

. 158 

70 

. 158 

190 

47, '99 

135, 136 

166 

• 177 
101 

. 1S9 

120 

12, 38,45 

210 

. 188 



37 



Gillet, Rev. Alexander, 32, 33, 38 

39,40, 41, 45.49- 50, 52.53, 54 

62 

Nathan, 

Capt. Zaccheus, 

Grilley, Gehula, 

Gregor, Rev. Mr., 

Griswold, George. 

Hall, Curtiss, 



Ephraim, 

Lieut. Heman, . 

Capt. Heman, 

Levi, 

Orrin, 

Richmond, 
Hart, Rev. Lucas, 
Harrison, Dea. Aaron, 
ii, 23, 24, 25, 2; 



. 47, 62 

39.47 

185, 189 

. 166 

99 

6, 8, 9. 23 

108, 210 

. 187 

12, 43, 1S8 

. 158 

108, 196 

• 158 

79 

5. 6. 7. 8 

37. 54. 62 



David, 






47 


Jabez, . 






192 


Jared, 




7. 8, 47 


158 


Michael, 






194 


Mark, 45, 47, 


48, 


53. 54. 61 


, 64 


71. 72. 175. 


176 


. 177. 181, 


191 


Phebe, . 






48 


Samuel, 


. 




47 


Stephen, 






94 


Hitchcock, John 






70 


Higgins, Lyman, 




158, 


209 


Holmes, Dea. Samuel, 132, 


133 


Holt, Daniel, 




107, 


112 


Hopkins, Isaac, 


9. 


11. 25, 39 


, 60 






7o, 


189 


Simeon, 


7. 


43. 45, 62, 


175 


Hotchkiss, Abner, 


. 


107 


Asaph, 




191, 192, 


194 


Chester, , 






209 



190, 192, 193. 194, 199 



Emerson M., 

Harpin, 

Holt, . 

Jason, 

Major Luther, 

Solomon, 

Timothy, 

Titus, 

Wait, . 
Horton, Elijah, 

Samuel, 

Seth, 

Thomas, 
Hough, Ira, 

Isaac, 

Rev. Lent S., 
Ives, Ambn 1 e, . 

Mrs. Wealthy, 
Jackson, Mr. 
Johnson, Daniel, 

Salmon, 
Kenea, John J„ 

Leverett, 



196 

158 

210 

210 

112 

190 

158, 209 

158, 159, 160 

7, 11, 190 

• 47 
209 
210 

99 

79, 101, 120 

185, 192 

• 130-135 

158 

• 134 

3i 

7, 25 

158 

. . 158 

210 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



Keys, Rev. John, 82, S3, 88, 89, 92, 
93. 94. 95, 97, 98, 99, 193, 196 



Potter, Ashbel, . . 8 

Rev. Collis I , . . . 165 



Lane, Asahel, . 


70 


Dr. John, 47. 54, 60, 61 


, 62, 70, 


Lewis, Capt. Nathaniel, 12, 43, 53, 


7L 176, 


177, 192 


68 175, 176, 18 


[, 183, 188,197, 


Plumb, Family, 


12 




199 


Ansel H„ . 


132, 134 


Nathaniel G., . 


. 153 


Orrin, 


158 


Reuben, 


153 


Simeon, . 54, 60, 


177, 199 


Lindsley, Lud, 


101 


Preston, Joseph, . 


. 187 


Loveland, Lewis, 


158 


Pritchard, Dennis. . 


13, 194 


Merrills, Caleb, . 


. 158 


Roger, 


. 189 


Mills, Rev. Mr., 


41 


Richards, Streat, 45,48,5/ 


, 71,158 


Minor, Archibald, 


109, 112. 158 


175, 176, 177. 


181,195 


Jedediah, . 


9, 199 


Richmon, Jacob, 


8 


Joseph, . 47, 


62, 70, 71, 158 


Robins, William, 


• 194 


Marcus, 


158 


Roberts, Abiel, 


194 


Marvin, 


120 


Rogers, Josiah, 6, 8, II, l 


7, 25, 37 


Mix, Eldad, 


189 




43- 19° 


Mott, Jonathan, . 


. 188 


Sandford, Rev. David, 


166 


Moulthrop, Levi, Sen., . 120 


Scarritt, James, 


■ 158 


Norton, Abraham, 


175, 190, 194 


Jeremiah, 


60, 70 




196 ' 


Scott, Timothy, . 


. 189 


Cyrus, 


47, 43 


Scovill, Rev. Mr. 


157 


Daniel, 


45 


Scranton, Rev. Erastus, 


102, 103 


David, . 7, 


11, 43, 61, 190 




106 


Jerusha, 


4 3 


Seward, Amos, 6, 12, 2; 


, 27. 43, 


John, 


• 158, 194 


53.54, 60,175, 176, 189. 


195, 199 


Noah, . 


47 


Shaw, Rev. Nathan, 


• 113 


Ozias, 


• 47 


Smith, Eliakim, 


158 


Orcutt, Samuel. 


136 


Rev. John D., . 


. 166 


Parker. Family, 


11 


Sperry, Jeremiah, 


158 


Joseph, . 


45. 189 


Joseph, N. 


99, 120 


Joseph M.. . 


47, 70, 71 


Steadman, Selah, 


62 


Levi, 


• 15S 


Stevens, William, 


. 62 


William, 


158 


Stocking, Rev. Servilius, 


166 


Zephana, . 


. 15S 


Sutliff, Joseph, Senr., . 


11. 189 


Peck, Daniel, . 


45 


Talmage, Joseph, 


. 9. 11 


Dea. Justus, 


7, 11, 53 175 


Josiah, 


190 




188 


Terry, Eli, 


209 


Pike, David. . 


iSS 


Henry, 


. 209 


James, 


. 188 


S. B. . 


43 


Samuel, 


18S 


Thomas, Seth, 


• 195 


Pond, Moses. Sen. 


. 70 


Thrasher Elnathan, . 


195 


Col. Moses, . 


196 


Todd, Caleb, 


192 


Powers, Barna, 


• 158 


Hezekiah, 


190 



INDEX OF NAMES. 



XXI 



Todd, Moses, 71, 190, igi, 192 

Jerry 158 

Twitchell Isaac, . . 190 

Joseph, . . . 158, 196 «. 

Upson, Ashbel, . 101, 107 

Capt. Charles, 43, 48, 53, 54, 60 

61, 63, 68, 70, 134, 175, 176 

177, 1S1, 191, 193, 195 

Gates, , . 79, 99, 102 

Dea. Harvey, . 107, 196 

Isaac, ... 70, 195 

Jerry 99 

/ Capt. Samuel, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 43 

45. 47. 53. 54. 61, 175. 177- 181 

196 

Samuel, Jr., . . 158, 196 

Samuel W., . . . 107 

Thomas, 1st, 38, 183, 187, 190 

197 

Thomas, 2d, 11, 99, 107, 112 

158, 195 



Upson, Wealthy, 




48 


Warner, David, 




7 


Erastus W., . 




192 


James, 




8 


Wakelee, David, 




158 


Lewis H., 




79 


Welton, Eliakim. 1st. 


189, 


197 


Eliakim, 2d, 




157 


Oliver, 


9. 


T57 


Thomas, 




189 


Richard F., 




62 


Rev. Ximenus A., 




166 


Whiting, Adna, . 




112 


Wiard, Darius, 


. 192. 


193 


Matthew, 




192 


Thomas, . 




196 


Woodward, Rev. I. B 


,60, 62 


65, 


66, 72, 76, 93, 158. i 


76, 191, 


192 


Woster, Abraham, 11, 


19, 190, 


193 


Rebecca. 




11 



TOPICAL INDEX 



Academy, Southington, 
Articles of Faith, 
Bell, Subscription for, . 

Weight of, . 

New one, 
Beecher, Dr. Lyman's Sermon 

Family, .... 
Bronson, Isaac, Character and 
Gratuitous Labors, 

Remarkable Eloquence, 

Reasons why he should have 
had some Salary, 
Beach, Rev. Aaron C, Or- 
dained, 

Dismissed, 
Burr, Rev. Z. B,. A call, 
Burying Grounds, The Center, 

Pike's Hill, . 

Northeast, 

Southeast, 

Southwest, 
Biographies, See Table of Con- 
tents. 



202 Church, Congregational, Or- 

134 ganized, 33 

no First Members, . . 33 

112 Covenant Rules, . . 36 

126 Discipline, . . . 41, 90 

85 Efficiency under Mr. Keys, 91 

88 List of Members, . . 14 S 

List of Officers, See Officers. 
99 Episcopal, Organization, 165 

100 Clock-making, . . 209 

Council, Ecclesiastical, Meet- 
roi ingof, . . 35, 42, 54 

To Ordain Mr. Hart, . 80 



123 


Letter for, ... 83 


125 


Meeting of, . . T20, 123 


128 


Centenary Meeting, . 377 


204 


See Table of Contents. 


206 


Chapman's Ministry begins, 117 


20S 


Dismissed, . . . 122 


208 


Communion Service, . . 133 


208 


Episcopalians, early in Wol- 




cott, .... 157 



TOPICAL INDEX. 



Episcopalians, Taxed by Law, 157 
Petition to General Assem- 
bly, .... 157 
List who withdrew from First 

Society, . . . 158 

Fiske, Rev. Warren C, hired, 135 
Fever, the great, of 1810, . 76 

Freemen, List of, . . 213 

Genealogies, . . . 425 

See G, Table of Contents. 
Green, the Public, . . 193 
Rev Mr. Gillet, Settlement, 50 
His Marriage, . . 50 

Builds a House, . . 51 
His Salary, . . 51, 52 

Closes his Labors, . . 53 
His last entries in Church 

Book, ... 59 

His Biography, ' . . 313 

Hart, Rev. Lucas, his Call, 79 

His Ordination, . . 80 

The Ball, ... Si 

His Term of Service, . 81 

His death, ... 82 

Hough, Rev. Lent S., hired, 131 

Letter of Commendation, 131 

Closes his Labors, 

Hills, of Wolcott, . . 181 

Highways, . . . 196 

Hotels,. .... T96 

Jack's Cave, . . . 197 

Keys, Rev. John, his Call, . 82 

Installation, ... 84 

A Communication, . . 92 

Resignation, . . 94 

Reasons for, . . 95, 97 

Law in Wolcott, . . 203 

Mill, Atkins', . . . 194 

Mill Place, ... 194 

Meeting House, Voted to build, 14 

Stake fixed, . . 14, 16 

First Meetings in, . 24 

Description, ... 24 

Its size, . . .18, 19 

Deed for Land, . . 20 



Meeting House, improvement, 44 
Seating by age, . . 45 
Pulpit, . . -45, 46 
Its final completion, . 67 
Dedicatory Poem, . 69 

Pews first rented, . 113 

Burning of, . . . 117 

Building a new one, . 119 
New one completed. . 124 

Repaired, . . 135, 136 
Episcopal, site given, . 163 

Built 164 

Mountain, Southington, . 49 

Officers, of Cong. Church : 

Ministers, . . . 139 

Deacons, . . . 140 

Clerks, . . . 140 

Society, Moderators, . 140 

Clerks, 14 1 

Treasurers, . . . 141 

Committees, . . 142 

School Committees, . . 146 

Officers of Episcopal Church : 
Ministers, . . . 167 

Clerks, . . . . 167 

Vestrymen, . . .170 

Society, Committees, 160, 168 
Wardens, . . .169 

Town Moderators, . 221 

Clerks 221 

Selectmen, . . . 221 
Justices, .... 223 
Representatives, . . 225 

Senators, . . . 226 

Peddlers, Yankee, . . 209 

Parsonage Built, . . .124 

Bought by Society, . 127 

Rogers, Rev. Stephen, in- 
stalled, . . £28 
Letter of resignation, . 129 
Dismissed, . . . 13° 

Revivals, under Messrs. Gillet 

and Mills, ... 41 
Results, ... 42 

Under Rev. Mr. Scranton, 103 



TOPICAL INDEX 



XX1I1 



Revivals under Rev. Jos. Smith, 129 
Under Rev. L. B. Hough, 132 
Roll of Honor, . . 213 

Sabba' day Houses, . . 50 
Sackett, Rev. Seth, . . 113 
Scranton, Rev. Erastus, Jour- 
nal, .... 103 
School, Public, Committee, 

First, .... 7 

Public. . . . 199 

Tax by poll, ... 7 
Expenses of, . . 200, 202 

Sunday, ... 88, 90 
Sunday Class, . . 109 

Shaw, Rev. Nathan, . .113 
Settlers, First in New Eng- 
land, .... I 
Hartford and Farmington, 1 
Waterbury, . . . 1 
Farmingbury, . . 38, [87 
Singing, improvements in, 46, 48 
70, 94 
Singers in the Gallery, . 48 
Smith, Rev. David, hired, . 113 
Rev Joseph, hired, . 129 

Small Pox 204 

Society Congregational, pre- 
liminaries, ... 3 
Assembly, Act for, . 3 

Warnings, . . . 4, 5 

First Meeting, . . 6 

Measured, ... 8 

Vote for Meeting House, 8 

Offices, . . . 10 

First Officers, ... 25 
Annual Officers, . . 26, 27 
Incorporated as a Town, 71 

Rate Fist 73 

Cong., Second, Organized, 120 
Fund, . . . . 137 

Episcopal, Organized, . 159 
Domestic Missionary, . 88 

Conn. Home Mis^., 88, 91, 113 
Donations to Wolcott, . 137 
Soldiers, Revolutionary, . 226 

Late Rebellion, . . 226 



Stoves, in the Church, . 11S 

Streams of Water, . - 1S5 

Subscription for Gospel, ac- 
cording to age, . . H4 
Swift, Rev. Z., hired, . .122 
Taverns, ... 50, 196 

Taxes for Society, 7, 10, 28, 96, 98 

99 

To build a Meeting House, 23 

Twelve per cent., . 91, 92 

Assembly Act for, . . 29 

Order to collect, . . 44 

List of 1S06, ... 7 

List of 1789, . . .211 

Grand Lists, . . . 210 

Episcopalians, . . • T 57 

A List, .... 189 

For Singing, . . 7°, 93, 94 

Vail. Rev. Wm. F., hired, . 113 

War of the Revolution, . 49, 50 

Late Rebellion, . . 49 

Wheelock, Rev. Mr., hired, 109 

Whipping Post. . . .202 

Will of Addin Lewis, . 201 

Wolcott like Land of Canaan, 51 

As a Business Centre, . 63 

In its Strength, . . 89 

Incorporated. . . 178 

Care of the Poor, . .181 

First Town Meeting, . 180 

The Center in 1800, . .190 

Woodtick, . . . 195 

Woodward, Rev. I. B. begins 

to preach, . . .60 
Letter of Acceptance, . 61 

Ordained 62 

His Marriage. . 63 

Subscribers to his Settle- 
ment, . . . .64 
Salary, .... 65 

His School. ... 67 
Offers his Resignation, . 71 

His death, ... 76 

His ( Iravestone, . . 77 

I lis Widow, ... 77 
A Federalist. . 98 



HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 



CHAPTER I. 

FIR SI SOI I E T Y 1 \ WOLCO T T. 
Flksi SETTLERS. 

In the settlement of Connecticut, and other New Eng- 
land States, the settlers mad< their homes first in the 
valleys and along the rivers and streams of water. After 
fifty to seventy years' experience of decimation from 
fevers and sicknesses, caused by the fogs and mala- 
ria in these low lands, they began to climb the hills and 
mountains, and to make their homes where the sun rose 
before ten o'clock in the morning, and set after four o'clock 
in the afternoon ; so that the first settlers came into 
Wolcott, upon the hills, fifty-seven years after the 
tlement ofWaterbury, and ninety-one years after the set- 
tlement of Farmington. 

The first settlers of Hartford reached that place in 1635, 
and "in 1640 the people of Hartford commenced a settle- 
ment at Farmington, it being the first made in Connecti- 
cut away from navigable waters. From this time to 1673, 
small beginnings were made at Norwich, Derby, Walling- 
ford, Simsbury, Woodbury, and Plainfield." In the year 
1674, "Articles of Association and Agreement " were 
signed by some of the people of Farmington for a set- 
tlement in Waterbury, but the first houses were not 
erected until the summer of 1678. The Indian " trail "or 
path by which the people of Farmington reached Mat- 
tatuck. now Waterbury, lay across the north vest corner 
of what is now Wolcott, and became, probably, the first 
" traveled " road in this town. It is the road that now 
2 



2 HISTORY OF VVOLCOTT. 

passes Air. Levi Atkins' dwelling house, and it is said 
that the millstones for the first Grist Mill in Woodbury 
were carried from Farmington on this road, on the back 
of a horse, the stones being in a sack balancing on each 
side of the horse, and the horse led by a footman. In 
173 1 Mr. John Alcock, of New Haven, settled in the west 
part of what is now Wolcott, he being the first settler 
there. In less than thirty years (in 1760) the people had 
become so numerous within this territory as to desire 
parish privileges, and so petitioned the General Assem- 
bly to make them a "Distinct Society." They x stated 
that they "occupied a tract of land five miles square, 
were ,£2,000 in the list, and lived an inconvenient dis- 
tance from places of public worship." Waterbury First 
Society remonstrated with arguments, and the petition 
was rejected, as was another with forty-three signers, 
in May, 1762. In October, 1762, the people, numbering 
thirty-eight, renewed their petition, and the old Society 
remonstrated, the chief reason given being the difficulty 
of supporting the First Society, if Farmingbury, West 
Farms, and South Farms, should be granted society 
privileges. Notwithstanding the cogency of this reason- 
ing, the people of Farmingbury (so called at this time) 
were allowed to hire preaching five months in the year, 
and to set up a school, and in the meantime to be ex- 
empt from other society and school taxes. In the spring 
of 1767, thirty-one petitioners of the Winter parish re- 
quested society privileges, and asked that the limits of 
the society might be extended into New Cambridge 
(now Bristol). They said they numbered seventy-one 
families, and had a list of £3,872 8s. The petition was 
denied, as was also another in October, 1768." 

FORMATION OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY. 

The organization of the First Ecclesiastical Society 
took place at the house of Mr. Joseph Atkins, on the 13th 

* See History of Waterbury, pages 279-81. 



FIRST S< >CIETY IX V, OLC< >TT. 3 

day of November, 1770. This house stood south of the 
highway that now runs westward from the meeting-house, 
and stood about two hundred rods west from the present 
meeting-house, in what was then the town of Waterbury. 
The site may be recognized by a small part of the cellar- 
wall which still remains. 

The preliminaries to this meeting were very carefully 
attended to according to the Colonial Law of that time, 
by a grant from the General Assembly, and by orders 
from the Courts, and legal warnings to the people. This 
grant formed the parish from the towns of Waterbury and 
Farmington, and gave it the name of Farmingbury. 

Several efforts had been made between the years 1760-69 
to form such Society, but without success. In the Spring 
of 1770 a petition, signed by forty-nine persons, was pre- 
sented to the General Assembly, and was laid over until 
the next ( >ctober, when the petition was granted. 

The territory taken from Waterbury had been settled 
but a short time, — the first settler, Mr. John Alcock, of 
New Haven, having taken his residence on Spindle Hill, 
in March, 1731. So far as known all other settlers had 
come into this territory during the thirty-nine years in- 
tervening: and so far as known all the settlers in Far- 
mington part of Farmingbury had come in after 1732."" 

All the original papers issued for the purpose of form- 
ing the Society are preserved, though much changed by 
age and use, and are of such peculiar character that their 
insertion here will be particularly interesting. They are 
as follow 

ASSEMBIA SlCT. 

At a General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the Colony of Connecti- 
cut, kolden at New Haven, on the Second Thursday of October, A. D., 1770 : 

Upon the Memorial of Joseph Atkins, of Waterbury, in the 
count) of New Haven, and others living within the following lim 
its and boundaries, viz. : Beginning half a mile west from the 

* Mr. Thomas Dpson, moved into the Southeast 1 orner, in 1732-3. 



4 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

northeast corner of the first " Long Lot" in said Farmington, next 
to said Waterbury; thence west about two miles and a half by the 
limits of Cambridge Parish to Northbury Society; thence south- 
ward to the middle of the dwelling-house of Caleb Barnes, of said 
Waterbury ; thence to extend west to a line that is two miles west 
from the southwest corner of said Cambridge; thence south two 
degrees east, about three miles to a place two hundred rods north, 
two degrees from the four mile tree ; thence southward to the mid- 
dle of the dwelling house of Elijah Frisbie ; thence a straight line 
to a line drawn west from the southwest corner of said Farmington 
three quarters 'of a mile; thence to said corner of Farmington; 
thence east on said Farmington south line to the east side of the 
original twenty rod highway ; thence northward to the top of the 
mountain west of John Merriman's ; thence a straight line to the 
first Station, — praying for society privileges, a committee was ap- 
pointed [by] this assembly, who having reported in favor of the 
memorialists, which is approved of by this Assembly and accepted : 
Resolved, by this Assembly, that the said Inhabitants living with- 
in said limits and boundaries as above described be and they are 
hereby made and constituted a distinct Ecclesiastical Society, and 
shall be called and known by the name of Farmingbury, with all 
the privileges and immunities to such societies usually belonging 
in the Colony, and the said Caleb Barnes hereby has liberty 
granted him of choosing whether he will be of said New Society 
or remain and belong to the First Society in Waterbury, and the 
same liberty is hereby given unto said Elijah Frisbie. 

A true Copy of Record, 



Exa mined bv 



-I W I'll. 



GEORGE WYLLIS, Secretary. 

Upon the reception of this grant, application was made 
to the officers in Farmington and Waterbury, and the ex- 
ecution of the several papers was attended to as follows : 

To fared Lee, Esq*, our of his Majesty's Jwstict Farming- 

ton, in the County of Hartford : 

The Honorable Assembly Having Constituted Part of Farm- 
ington and Part of Waterbury, to be a Distinct Ecclesiastical So- 
ciety, In October, A. D., 1770, Ave the Subscribers, Principle In- 



I Iks l SOCIETY IN WOLCOTT. 5 

habitants of said Society, Do as the Law Directs make applica- 
tion to the said Jared Lee. Esq., tor a warning to the Inhabitants 
of said Society for a Societ) Meeting on Tuesday, the 1.5th day 
of November, inst, at 12 of the Clock, at the house of Mr. Joseph 
Atkins, in said Society. 

JOSEPH ATKINS, , 

AARON HARRISON, [• Principle Inhabitants. 

DANIEL BYINGTON, ' 

On the above said application of Mr. Joseph Atkins, Capt. 
Aaron Harrison, and Daniel Byington — these are therefore to 
command ('apt. Aaron Harrison in His Majesty's name, to give 
lawful warning to all the Inhabitants in said Society In Farming- 
ton Part allowed by Law to vote, to meet at the Dwelling house 
dI Mr. Joseph Atkins on the 13th Day of November. Instant, in 
said Society, at 12 o'clock of said day to Choose a Moderator and 
Societ\ Clerk, and to do all other business Proper to be Done at 
said meeting. 

Dated at Farmington, the 5th Day of November, A. D., 1770, 
and in the nth year of his Majesty's Reign. 

JARED LEE, Just. Peace. 

Pursuant to this warrant. I have proceeded and given Legal 
warning to the Inhabitants of Farmingbury, in Farmington Part, 
for a Society Meeting at the house of Mr. Joseph Atkins, on Tues- 
day the 13th of November, inst.. at 12 of the Clock on said Day. 

AARON II VRRISON, Inhabitant of said Society. 

WARNING FOR WATERBURY PART. 

To M>. /htin.; ByingtonoJ /■'/, S$a ty oj Farmingbury, in the Town oj 
Waterbury,in New Haven County, Greeting: 

Whereas, The Honorable General Assembly, in their Session 
in New Haven, on the 2d Thursday of October last made and 
constituted the said Farmingbury, consisting part of the Town of 
Farmington, in Hartford County, and part of the Town of Water- 
Jmry, in New Haven County, a Distinct Fcclesiastical Society, as 
appears of Record, and it is now necessary that the said Society 
be convened in Society Meeting for the Lawful Purposes thereof, — ■ 
These are therefore in His Majesty's name, to Require you to 



6 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

warn all the inhabitants of said Waterbury, within the Limits of 
said Society of Farmingbury, to meet at the Dwelling House of 
Mr. Joseph Atkins, in said Waterbury, on Tuesday, the 13th Day 
of Instant Nov., at twelve of the Clock on said Day, then and 
there to choose a Moderator, Society's Clerk, and other proper 
Officers, and to do and transact all other Business proper for said 
meeting according to law. 

Dated at Waterbury the 6th day of Nov., 1770, and in the 1 ith 
year of His Majesty's Reign. 

JOSEPH HOPKINS, Justice Peace. 
JOSEPH ATKINS, ^ 

AARON HARRISON, - Inhabitants of said Society. 
DANIEL BYINGTON,) 

Pursuant to this Warrant, I have Proceeded and given Legal 
warning to the Inhabitants of Farmingbury, in Waterbury Part, for 
Society Meeting at the house of Mr. Joseph Atkins, on Tuesday 
the 13th of Nov. inst., at 12 o'clock on said Day. 

DANIEL BYINGTON, Inhabitant of said Society. 

The foregoing Instruments are true copies of the warrants 
granted for the warning of the First Society Meeting in Farming- 
bury. 

Certified by, 

DANIEL BYINGTON, Society Clerk. 

FIRST SOCIETY MEETING. 

At a Society meeting holden in Farmingbury; the inhabitants 
being lawfully assembled on the 13th day of November, A. D., 
1770, the following votes were taken. Capt. Aaron Harrison was 
chosen Moderator, Daniel Byington was chosen Society Clerk, 
Lieut. Josiah Rogers, Mr. John Alcox, Mr. Stephen Barnes, Mr. 
John Bronson, and Mr. Amos Seward, were chosen Society Com- 
mittee for the year ensuing. 

Voted, that we will procure preaching the year ensuing. 

Voted, to lay a rate of two pence on the pound to be paid on 
the list of August, 1770, and that the said rate should be paid 
by the first day of September next. Curtiss Hall and Daniel Al- 
cox were chosen to collect said rate. 

At the same meeting Lieut. Josiah Rogers was chosen Society 



FIRST S< (CIETY I \ W( IL( < 'II. J 

Treasurer for the year ensuing. David Norton, Seth Bartholo- 
mew, Daniel Alcox, Amos Beecher, Joseph Beecher, Justus Peck, 

Capt. Aaron Harrison, and Stephen Barnes were chosen School 
Committee for the year ensuing. 

David Warner. Wait Hotchkiss, Simeon Hopkins. Nathaniel 
Lewis, Capt Aaron Harrison, and Joseph Beecher, were chosen 
a committee to divide the Society into Districts. Voted to give 
Mr. |oseph Atkins i\\ 5s od for the use of his house to meet in 
on the Sabbath for the year ensuing, till the first of May next. 

Jacob Carter. Levi Bronson, Jared Harrison, Stephen Barnes, 
and David Alcox were chosen Choristers for the year ensuing. 
Capt. Aaron Harrison and Mr. Amos Seward were chosen to read 
the Psalms for the year ensuing. 

John Barrett was chosen Grave Digger. At the same meet- 
ing. \oted to build a Meeting house. Joseph Atkins was chosen 
Agent to go to the County Court for a committee to stick the 
stake for said Meeting house. Capt. Enos Brooks, Capt. Enos 
Atwater, and Col. Hall were nominated a committee to stick the 
stake of said Meeting house. Vol :d to lay a rate Hah" Penny on 
the Pour) I to d< fra) the S01 iet) C and said half 

penny rate by the first day of February next, and Joseph Atkins 
and fared Harrison wei 1 said half penny rate. 

Voted to adjourn said meeting to the last Thursday of Inst. No- 
vember, at one o'clock in the afternoon. 

ADJOURl I tNG. 

At the adjourn ants did meel an i \ 'ted as fol- 

lows, viz. : To accept the 1] the committee in dividing 

Society into Districts. [thai the Schooling should be by 

the poll. Mr. Samuel Upson was chosen School Committee. 
Voted that each School committee shah collect their poll rate 
each one in his own District. Adjourned -or one hour. At the 
adjournment the inhabitants did meet and voted to procure a 
Book for Records. Voted ti 1 the meeting to the Third 

Monday in December nexl at '~>nr o'clock in the afternoon. 

Met according to adjournment. Daniel Johnson and Daniel 
Byington were chosen to take the marks of stra) sheep the year 
ensuintf. 



S UISTl '-V OF WOLCOl I 

Voted to have the Society measured by a Count) surveyor, and 
to reconsider the vote taken to lay a rate two pence on the pound 
in order to procure preaching. Voted to lay a halfpennj rate to 
pav for measuring the Society, and that said hah" penny rate be 
paid by the first da) of February next. Joseph Atkins and Jared 
Harrison were chosen to collect said half pennj rate. Sargent 
Samuel Smith and James Warner and Daniel Bronson were cho- 
sen chairmen, and Lieut. Ashbel Potter, County surveyor. Voted 
to lay a rate of one penny half penny on the pound to procure 
preaching, and to pay said rate by the first day of September 
next, and Abel Curtiss and Curtiss Hall were chosen to collect 
said rate. Voted to adjourn the meeting to the last Monday in 
Inst. December, at one o'clock in the afternoon. 

Met according to adjournment and adjourned to the Second 
Wednesday of January next at one o'clock in the afternoon. 

At the adjournment voted to adjourn half an hour, and then 
met and voted to confide in what the committee did in fixing a 
place for the Meeting house. Voted to have Society meetings on 
the first Monday of December annually. Voted to dissolve said 
meeting. 

At a Society meeting holden in Farmingbury, on the 21st day 
of January, A. D.. 1771. the inhabitants being lawfully assembled 
on said dav. the following votes were taken, ('apt. Aaron Har- 
rison was chosen Moderator to lead the meeting. Voted to ad- 
journ the meeting one hour, then met and voted to confide in 
what the late committee did in fixing a place tor a Meeting house 
and dissolved said meeting. 

At a Society meeting holden in Farmingbury. on the 2 2d day 
of April, A. D., 177 1, the inhabitants being lawfully assembled on 
said daj the following votes were taken. Capt. Aaron Harrison 
was chosen Moderator. Lieut. Josiah Rogers. Mr. Samuel Up- 
son, Mr. Stephen Barnes, Mr. Joseph Beecher, and Mr. Daniel 
Alcox were chosen a Meeting house Committee. Voted to have 
all the land in the Society taxed. Voted to have the tax three 
peine per acre for four years. At the same meeting Capt. 
Aaron Harrison was chosen agent to appl) to the Assembly to 
procure the said tax. Mr. Stephen Barnes was chosen for the 
same purpose. Voted to give Mr. Jacob Richmon his rate ; also 



FIRST S< »CIE 1 \ IN Wnli OTT. 9 

to give Mr. Jedediah Minor his two half penny rates, and also to 
give Mr. Joseph Taknage his two hall" penny rates. Voted to 
have preaching this summer, and to lay a half penny rate in ad- 
dition to the penny halfpenny to be paid the first of September 
next. Adjourned to first Tuesday of June next at three o'cloi k 
in the afternoon. 

At the time, met and adjourned to last Monday in September 
next, at one o'clock in the afternoon. 

Met according to adjournment, and voted to have the said me- 
morial for said land tax carried into the next Assembly, giving the 
agents leave to alter in respect to the Churchmen as they shall 
find best, and Mr. Samuel Upson and Mr. Daniel Alcox were 
chosen agents to apply to the Assembly to procure said tax. 
Mr. |oseph Atkins was chosen for the same purpose. Daniel 
Alcox and Stephen Barnes were chosen to collect said tax. 
\ oted to have our meeting on the last Monday of November, annu- 
ally, and to warn said meeting by setting up Notifications at these 
places, viz. : John Barrett's, Isaac Hopkins'. Dan Tuttle's Shop, Cur- 
tiss Hall's, and Ensign Welt on' s. Voted to dissolve said meeting. 

These several meetings, as recorded, show the effort 
and labor and patience expended in forming a new Socie- 
ty and bringing it into working order, and the manner of 
attending to such duties in those days. They also bring 
forward names that are prominent in these records for 
many years afterward, and names which will appear in va- 
rious relations, and frequently, in the progress ol this 
History. 

Farmingbury did not become a Town till [796. Hence 
man_\' interests were attended to by the Parish Society 
which belonged properly to township authority, and not 
to the Church. In those days it was a principle of Chris- 
tian duty to take special care of political matters and 
not to leave them in the hands of the n ters of 

piety. '1 his was supposed to be right and righteous, 
and human experience concurs with the supposition; 
for what would the unprincipled man like better than 
that he should take care of polities, while men of princi- 



IO HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

pie should sit at home to be governed like slaves, and 
then pay the expenses of government ? What would the 
thief like better than that he should be left to make the 
laws and execute them at his own pleasure ? This is not 
Church and State united, but church men in the state, 
acting. To demand that when a man embraces, person- 
ally, the benefits of the gospel, he shall forsake the polit- 
ical interests of his community and nation, leads only to 
the revival of the days of the Inquisition, that is, in- 
fliction of punishment for obedience to the Gospel. 

From the first, Farmingbury Parish took supervision of 
the public schools ; appointed the committees ; voted 
how much "schooling" they should have each year ; laid 
taxes for the support of schools, and directed how these 
should be collected, and appointed the collectors of these 
taxes. They appointed the "grave digger" and the 
keeper of the "key," and persons to take the " marks of 
stray sheep." In one instance only did they go to the 
Assembly for power to lay a tax, and that was for a 
church rate on all the lands " for maintaining the worship 
of God."' :: " 

•"".// ,r General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the Colony of 
ut holden nt Netv Haven, on th, 20 7 Thursday of October, Anno 
Domini, J 771 : 

Upon the memorial of the Society of Farmingbury, prepared by Joseph 
Atkins, Samuel Upson, ami Daniel Alcox, agents for said Society, represent- 
ing to this Assembly that the list of -aid society is small and they unable 
up and maintain the worship of God among them without some fur- 
ther help, praying for a tax on all the lands within said Society, &c, as per 
menu trial on tile : 

Resolved by the Assembly, that a tax of three pence on the acre for the 
term of four years, to be annuall) coll cted, be laid on all the lands within 
said Society which belong to the inhabitants living within said Society not 
being professors of the Church of England, and also on that part of the 
non-resident professors, which land is not put on the general list of 
such non-residenl persons and subject to pay taxes in other societies and 
Towns; and Stephen Barnes of Farmington ami Daniel Alcox of Water- 
bury, are hereby appointed and fully empowered to collect the said tax of 
the proprietors of such lands as aforesaid and the same to pay to the com- 



FIRS I S< >CIETY l\ WOLCOTT. II 

Thus was formed, organized, and [nit into effectual op- 
eration the First Ecclesiastical Society in Wolcott, which 
was as a tree in the wilderness and proved to be "a 
fruitful vine in the tops of the mountains." The fami- 
lies of the parish were very much scattered amidst the 
forests that then covered most of these hills and the 
small patches of low lands. 

It is not certain that at the time of the formation of 
the parish, there was more than one house at Wolcott 
Center, that of Abraham Woster, all traces of whose 
family have disappeared from Wolcott long ago. He 
was a carpenter, and was"foreman" or "boss" carpenter 
at the building' of the first Meeting house. His wife, 
Rebecca, united with the church on the [2th of January 
1777, and on the 19th of the same month their son Lyman 
w as baptized. 

Mr. Joseph Atkins and his sou Joseph lived in one 
house, a quarter of a mile west of Abraham Woster's 
house, or of the Center. Deacon Rogers lived half a mile 
west of the Center. Daniel Byington and his sou Daniel 
lived at the "Mill Place." West of this were Mr. John 
Alcock and several of his children, settled on nearly one 
thousand acres of land. North of the Center on the 
" Hound Line" road there were- no residents, except Mr. 
Talmage, nearer than Thomas Cpson, the father of 
Charles, Esquire, and where Charles afterward resided. 
Tin' Peck families lived further north-north-east. East 
of the Center less than half a mile lived Aaron Harrison 
(the first Deacon) with his father if then living. South- 
west was David Norton ; then Wait Hqtchkiss, Isaac Hop- 
kins, the Sutliff family and Parker family. In Woodtick 



mittee of said So< iety, to be improved i<> sel up ami maintain a < lospel min- 
istry in said Society, and that thi of the Colony shall issue and 
sign warrants forcollei lid tax in due form oi law. 

\ true copy of Record, 

Examined, 

B3 GEORGE WYLLIS, Secretary. 



12 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Judah Frisbie and others ; and further east and south, on 
Bound Line, Amos Seward, and south of him Capt. Sam- 
uel Upson on the Turnpike. On the road from Wolcott 
to Cheshire were the Halls and Lewises, and east of this 
on Southington Mountain, the- Carters ; and further north 
the Beechers, Brockets, Plumbs, and others. John Bron- 
son lived in the hollow half a mile directly east of the Cen- 
ter, and west of Southington mountain. It is said that 
at that time Southington Mountain was the best cultiva- 
ted part of what is now Wolcott. And as the forests then 
consisted of "mighty trees" and the inhabitants were 
widely separated, it was in reality, "a church in the wil- 
derness." The wild beasts made night hideous with their 
bowlings, and it is told as a true story that the mother 
of the Halls used to relate, many years after, how care- 
ful she was at first, before putting her children to bed, to 
go to the bed and feel over the top of it, and under the 
blankets to see if, during the day, the "big snakes" had 
crept into the children's places. 

Another difficult)' at this time and for some years after 
was in the fact that there was not sufficient land cleared 
to produce food to supply the people, and hence many 
went to Southington, in summer time, and worked to 
earn provisions which they carried up the mountain on 
their backs, so as not to "starve in winter." Much is 
said at the present day about farming being hard work, 
but if we were to walk three miles down a mountain, and 
work from sunrise to sunset and then carry up the 
mountain three-fourths of a bushel of rye as the reward 
of such a day's labor we might think farming harder 
than it now is. Now, a man laboring by the day earns 
between two and three bushels of rye, but a hundred 
years ago he received only three-fourths of a bushel. The 
necessity for summer work was increased by the fact 
that very little could be done in the winter by which to 
get money or provisions. If they cut down the forests to 
clear the land, there was no demand for the wood ; this 



FIRST S< x III Y IX WOLC< >TT. [3 

must be burned in great heaps where it was cut. No me- 
chanical work of any extent was required. The first wag- 
on in Wolcott was brought in, in [800, by Lucius Tuttle, 
and it marked a period of wonder and improvement. A 
little could he done l>y way of getting "logs to the mill 
for lumber, hut no great amount of work of this kind 
could be done, for there were but two "saw mills" in the 
town, — one where Mr. Pritchard's mill now is, and one at 
Woodtick, — and there was but little demand for lumber. 
In the house, the women were always at work. In the 
fall and beginning of winter they must make the 
clothes for the family for the year. As soon .^ "New 
Year's Da}-" was past the}' prepared to sit down at the 
" little wheel" to spin the "flax," and from New Year 
until April the "little wheel" occupied all the leisure time 
the mother and elder daughters could find. And in the 
latter part of spring and on into summer the "big wheel'' 
usurped authority over the "little wheel" and the spin- 
ning of wool was the great extra work of the house. 
Thus began the church in Wolcott. 



CHAPTER 11. 

BUILDING A MEETING HOUSE. 

At the first meeting of the Society, Nov. 13, 1770, ac- 
tion was taken in regard to a Meeting house. We find 
the following votes : 

" Voted to Build a Meeting House. At the same meeting Jo- 
seph Atkins was chosen Agent to go to the County Court lor a 
Committee to stick the stake for said Meeting House. At the 
same meeting, Capt. Enos Brooks, Capt. Enos Atwater, and Col. 
Hall were nominated a committee to stick the stake for said 
House. At the same meeting voted to lay a rate Half Penny on 
the Pound to defray the Society Charges [in this matter]. At 
the same meeting voted to pay the said Half Penny rate by the 
first Day of February next, and Joseph Atkins and Taxed Harrison 
were chosen Collectors to collect said' rate." 

The energy with which Mr. Joseph Atkins moved in 
this matter is seen in the fact that the next day after 
this meeting and after his appointment as agent, he pre- 
sented his memorial to the Court in Hartford, as appears 
from the following paper : 

APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMITTEE. 

" At a County Court held at Hartford, in and for the County of Hartford, on 
the first Tuesday of JVovembe; ', A. D., 1770 : 

Upon the Memorial of Joseph Atkins of Farmingbury and the 
Rest of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Farmingbury in said 
County showing to this Court that at a Society Meeting held in 
said Society on the 13th day of November, instant, it was voted 
(wherein more than two thirds of the Inhabitants were in the 



BUILDING A MEE 1'ING IK H SE. 15 

affirmative), to Build a Meeting House in said Parish, and 1 
upon appointed the said Joseph Atkins their Agent to apply to 
this Court, for the appointment of a Committee to repair to said 
Society to affix a stake in said Society, for said Inhabitants to 
Build a Meeting House upon, for Divine Worship, as per Memo- 
rial nn file, dated the 4th day of November, 1770 : 

Whereupon this Court appoint Col. Benjamin Hall, Capt. Enos 
Brooks, and Capt. Enos Atwater, all of Wallingford, in New Ha- 
ven Count}-, a Committee with full power to repair to the Said 
Parish of Farmingbury, Notify the Inhabitants of said Parish, View 
all circumstances, and hear all Parties, and affix a stake upon some 
convenient spot of ground in said Society, for the Inhabitants 
thereof to Build a meeting House upon for the Purpose of Divine 
Worship, and make report of their doings herein to us at the next 
Court. 

A true co])}' of Record, 

Examined 

By GEORC.K WYLLYS, Clerk. 

NOTIFICATION OF THE COMMITTEE. 

To the Inhabitants of the Society of Farmingbury, Greeting : 

Whereas, The Honorable County Court at Hartford in Their 
Sessions In November, Instant, appointed us subscribers a Com- 
ttee with instructions to repair to Said Society, Give warning to 
the Inhabitants, view their circumstances, Hear the Parties, e\:c.. 
and affix a Place for said Inhabitants to build a meeting house 
upon : 

These are Therefore to Notify said Inhabitants to Attend on 
said Comttee on The Last Tuesday of Instant November by Their 
Agents, Committees, or otherwise as They Shall Think fit in order 
to Enable said Comttee to Do The business assigned Them by 
Said Court, and Mr. Joseph Atkins of Sd Society is hereby Desired 
to Notify said Inhabitants accordingly. Dated at Wallingford the 
23d of November , Anno 1770. 

BENJAMIN HALL, \ 

ENOS BROOKS, - C„//ittee. 

ENOS ATWATER, J 



t6 HTSTORY <>l WOLC( Ml. 

ORDER Of THE C< >1 B I 

At an adjourned County Court holden at Hartford, in and for tkt County oj 
Hartford, on thi fourth Tuesday oj January, Anno Domini. 1 7 7 1 . 

Whereas, upon the Memorial of the Inhabitants of the Parish 
of Farmingbury by their agent Joseph Atkins praying for a Com- 
mittee to affix a place in said Society for the Inhabitants thereof 
to Build a Meeting House upon, for Divine Worship, the County 
Court al their sessions at Hartford within and Cur Hartford Coun- 
ty on the first Tuesda) of November, A. I).. 1770, appointed Ben- 
jamin Hall, Esq., ('apt. Enos Brooks, ('apt. Enos Atwater a Com- 
mittee I" repair to said Societ) oi Farmingbury — hear all parties 
and view all circumstances, and affix a place for the Inhabitants 
thereof to Build a Meeting House upon, for Divine Worship as 
by the records of said Count}' Court fully appears. 

The said Committee having Returned their report in the 
1'reinises therein setting forth that on the 27th, 28th, and 29th 
Days ol November, 1770. the Said Parish before being Notified to 
attend them, did repair to Said Parish of Farmingbury and there 
heard all parties and viewed all circumstances, and there affixed a 
Place in said Society, and erected a stake thereon, with stones 
about it, viz.: on a Beautiful Eminence and on the line Dividing 
between the Towns oi' Waterbury and Farmington, a little North- 
erly of Mr. Abraham Worster's Dwelling House in said Society. 
near where the North and South Highways cross each other in 
said Society as per Report on file, Dated the 30th 1 >ay of Novem- 
ber, 1 770, which said report this Court accept and approve of. and 
thereupon this Court < >rder and Direct that the Place mentioned 
in the said report of the said Committee be and the same is here- 
by Established as the Place whereon the said Society Shall Erect 
and build a Meeting House, for the Purpose of Divine Worship 
accordingly. 

\ I'mc 1 !opy oi Recoi i, 

Exa mi nei 1 

B3 GEORG1 WYLLYS, 

The Papers containing the above action of the Court 
are still preserved, and are signed in the hand writing of 
George Wyllys, Clerk of Records. After being folded, 



Bl [LDING A MEETING HOUSE. 17 

on one is written: "Copy of record for Mr. Joseph 
Atkins. 

Court F& 9 ~ 

and Cop) ing fee 6 £0 15 3." 

Mr. Atkins' name in these papers, and frequently in 
the church Records, is spelled Adkins. It is herein uni- 
formly written Atkins; because when he signed the Deed 
to the Society, he wrote his name "Joseph .Atkins." 

This order of the court was given during the court 
term which began on the fourth Tuesday of January, 177 1 ; 
but before the order was received by the Society, and 
probably before the court made the order, the Society 
took the following action on the report of the committee, 
in a Society meeting held on the Second Wednesday 
of January, 1771 : "Voted to confide in what the late 
Committee did in fixing a place for the Meeting house." 
On the 21st day of the same month, in another Society 
meeting, they again " Voted to confide in what the late 
Committee did in fixing a place for a Meeting house." 

In the next April, 22cl day, at a Society meeting, the 
following persons were chosen a " Meeting House Com- 
mittee :" Lieut. Josiah Rogers, Mr. Samuel Upson, Mr. 
Stephen Barnes, Mr. Joseph Beecher, Mr. Daniel Alcox. 

This was a choice committee. These men were reli- 
able, good men ; equal, under ordinary circumstances, to 
the work committed to them ; but the difficulties around 
and before them were peculiarly numerous. The Parish 
was new, not yet six months old, and had assumed 
nearly all the responsibilities of a Town, without the 
benefits. They had the work of dividing the parish into 
school districts, laying taxes for tin: support of these 
schools, providing school houses in some parts, and the 
ordering of the number of months school should be kept. 
They appointed a committee to survey the parish and fix 
the boundaries, and laid a tax to pay the expenses of sur- 
veying. 

3 



1 8 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

The Society meetings had voted, besides school tax and 
surveying tax, a tax for the committee to fix the stake for 
the Meeting house ; a tax of "one penny half-penny" to 
procure preaching, and the tax of three pence per acre 
granted by the Assembly, for " Maintaining of Divine 
Worship." Besides this, the country was new. Some of 
these men were born in Wolcott, but were the first gene- 
ration. Their fathers all, as near as we can learn, immi- 
grated to Wolcott. How were they to build a meeting 
house ? If the house could be built at the cost of five 
hundred dollars, from whence was the money to come? 
This committee doubtless consulted together, and with 
the people of the Parish, and much desired to see that 
Meeting house, but we hear nothing of it for six months. 

There was but one thing unfortunate about that com- 
mittee ; the name of Joseph Atkins was not at its head. 
He never slept six months at a time ; when he moved 
others moved also. Whatever he touched seemed to 
rise to life, like the bones of the old prophet. As far 
as the record shows, he never failed but once, and 
that when sent by this parish as agent to the General 
Assembly in 1787 to secure town privileges. The united 
opposition of the adjoining towns of Waterbury and 
Southington was too strong for the energetic Joseph. 
Had he been on the committee there would have been 
some work clone somewhere, and a report made at the 
next meeting ; but as it was, they came to the meet- 
ing on the 22cl day of next November, made Mr. Joseph 
Atkins moderator, and the first business done is recorded 
thus : "Voted to go about building a Meeting house forth- 
with." Voted to build said house 58 feet in length and 42 
feet wide. Voted to have said house 24 feet between 
joints. Voted to face said house to the south. Voted 
to board the body of said house. Voted to shingle said 
house with chestnut shingles. Voted to clapboard said 
house with 'drent' oak." 

On the first Tuesday of the next December, about two 



BUILDING A MEETING HOUSE. 19 

weeks after the above meeting, they met and " Voted 
to take 12 feet from the length of the house, and 8 feet 
from the width, and two feet from the height." Also, 
"Voted that Abraham Woster should be master builder 
on said house." 

Another meeting was held on the first Tuesday of 
January, 1772, when it was "Voted to add to the length 
of said meeting house six feet, and four feet to the 
breadth." After these last votes there appears to have 
arisen some further discussion about the Meeting house, 
when they voted to "Reconsider all the votes taken in 
said meeting, respecting building a Meeting house, and 
dissolved said meeting." 

This last vote seems to have referred to all the votes 
taken in all the previous meetings in regard to the build- 
ing of a Meeting house, for on the 20th day of the same 
month (January, 1772), the}- held another meeting, in 
which the only business recorded was concerning the 
Meeting house, as follows: "Voted to build a Meeting 
house 48 feet long and 36 feet wide. Voted to have the 
height of said house left with the carpenter. Voted to 
cover said house as the first proposed house was voted to 
be covered. Voted to give Mr. Abraham Woster 24 shil- 
lings for his services." From these records it appears 
that some work in making preparations, or estimates for 
building had been done by the master carpenter, and also 
by others, towards the building of the house. We are 
not informed as to the method pursued in building, except 
it appears that the work was not let by the job, but done 
by the day, as to the master builder. Whether work or 
lumber and materials were given by the parishioners, we 
are not directly informed, but the probability, from the 
facts mentioned, is that much was given in this way. * 

:;: The frame of the Meeting house was, probably, raised about the first of 
April, 1772, but no record is found concerning it, except the following, 
which was written on the inside of the back cover of the Society Book, 
without date : " Capt. Hopkins, Ensign Beechcr, Daniel Byington, Isaac 



20 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

On the first Monday in March next a meeting was held 
and further action taken. "Voted to lay the underpin- 
ning of the Meeting house in lyme mortar. Voted to 
have the window frames made of chestnut, and to have 
24 panes of 7 by 9 glass in each window." 

The next meeting was held on the first Monday of 
April, one month later, when they "Voted to lay a rate of 
two p'ence on the pound, to defray the Meeting house 
charges, and that said rate should be paid by the first of 
October next." 

It is very probable that from the first Mr. Joseph Atkins 
agreed to give the land on which to build a Meeting 
house, but now that that house was in process of construc- 
tion, and probably the frame was standing in its place, 
and a tax was to be collected to pay for the building 
of the house, it was very proper that it should rest on 
a good title of land, so that no trouble should arise from 
this direction. Therefore Mr. Atkins proceeded to exe- 
cute the deed. And here again is seen the character of 
Joseph Atkins. Instead of giving a plot of ground one 
hundred feet by fifty, he gave two acres. This land was 
given, as is seen by the deed, from the noblest impulses 
and for the noblest ends. And when thus devoted to the 
publishing of " good tidings" to lost men, it is saddening 
to know that on one corner of this square was erected a 
" whipping post," and that at this post were whipped 
several persons, and among them one woman, for stealing. 

THE DEED.* 

" To all people to whom these presents shall come greeting. 
Know ye that I, Joseph Atkins, of Waterbury, in the County of 
New Haven, in the Colony of Connecticut, in New England, for 
the Consideration of the love and good will which I have and do 

Twitchell, Joseph Atkins, Jr.. Abraham Woster, Isaac Cleveland, Elijah 
Gaylord, to sell liker and vitels During the time of Raising the meting 
House, and any Body Else that is a mind to." 
* The original deed is preserved. 



BUILDIXC A MEETING HOUSE. . 2 1 

bear to the Society of Farmingbury, part of which is in Waterbury 
aforesd, and part in Farmington, in the County of Hartford, do 
give, grant, convey, & Confirm unto David Norton. Amos 
Seward, Daniel Alcox, Stephen Barnes, and Joseph Beecher, as 
they are Society's Committee for sd Society and their Successors 
in Quality of Society's Committee, and to the rest of the Inhab- 
itants of the Society of Farmingbury aforesd, to be Used & im- 
proved for the only purpose of Building and continuing a Meeting 
House for the Public Worship of God thereon, and for n< 
and convenient accommodations around the same, Two aa 
Land. That is to say, one acre at the Southwest corner of the 
forty-first Long lot in the West Division in the Township of 
Farmington aforesd, Eleven Rods & an half wide at the West 
end. and nine Rods & an half wide at the East End, I 
East from the Line between the Towns so far as to mike or 
bating West on the Line of Waterbury aforesd, South on High- 
way, East and North on the Remainder of the said 41st Lot. 

And also one acre of Ian 1 in the Township of Y\ 
aforesd, lying West from the above described land adjoining to 
the Highway between s ( l Waterbury & Farmington Twelve Rods 
wi 1 ■. N >rth a [ West so far as to make one 

acre, Buting Northward on H West and South on m\ 

land, & East on Highwa ! i band Described as a 

the sd Atkins, make over to the Society of Fannin »resd, 

for their use and b >v for the Chic 

gathere 1. & vhi :h >h ill or may Worship in the sd House I 
Erected according to th id, Doctrines, & Discipline now 

owned and practiced by the churches in the Colon;. 
Called Presbyterian, Con ;ociated by way of 

Distinction from Episcopalians, Ba 3 :paratists, or other S c- 

taries, — To have and to hold the above granted and given prem- 
ises, with all the Privileg tpurtenances thereunto b lo 
unto them the sd grantees and to their successors forever, to & for 
the use aforesd. And also I. the said Joseph Atkins, do for my- 
self and my Heirs, Executors, and administrators. Covenant with 
the said Grantees and their successors, that at & until the Ei 
ing of these presents 1 am well ''seized of the premises as a good 
indefeasible Estate in Fee simple, and have good Right to give 



22 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

and Convey the same in manner and form as is above written, and 
that the Same is free of all Encumbrances whatever. And fur- 
thermore, I, the sd Atkins, do by these presents Bind myself and 
my Heirs forever to warrant and Defend the above granted and 
given premises to them the sd Grantees and their successors 
against all Claims and Demands whatever. In Witness, whereof, 
I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the Sth Day of June, in 
the 1 2th year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the 
Third of Great Britain, &c, King, A. D., 1772. 



JOSEPH ATKINS. l. s. 



Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of 
JOSEPH HOPKINS, 
LAURA HOPKINS. 

N. B. The words Eleven Rods & an half Interlined in the 16th 
line, and the words nine Rods and an half Interlined in the 17th 
line, and the word eleven, Interlined in the 23d line, were wrote 
before the Deed was signed. 

Waterbury, in New Haven County, the Day and Date above 
written, Personally appeared Mr. Joseph Atkins, Signer & Sealer 
of the foregoing Instrument, and acknowledged the same to be 
his Free act and Deed. 

Before me JOSEPH HOPKINS, Justs. Peace." 

On the Deed, after being folded, is written : 

u David Norton & others. Inhabitants of Farmingbury. Deed 
of Gift of Joseph Atkins. 

Reed. June 12th, A. D., 1772, & is Recorded in Farmington, 
17th Book of Records, page 427. Pr Sal. Whitman, Regr. 

Reed also to Record in Waterbury, July the 6th, A. D., 1772. 

And Recorded in Waterbury Land Records, Book 15th, Page 
312. Pi" Ezra Bronson, Recorder." 

While Mr. Atkins was thus doing his part, the Meeting 
house was rising to perfectness in its place, and the 
people seemed ready to do their part as the cause might 
need. They were not only ready to pay the tax already 
assessed in behalf of the Meeting house, but they met 



BUIU>IX<; A MEETING HOUSE. 23 

again on the "Third Monday of August, following, and 

voted to lay a rate of four pence on the pound, to be 
paid the first of December next, said rate being to defray 
the Meeting house charges." 

In order to know what an effort it was for the people 
to build this church, we must take a little survey of the 
parish. The territory was newly settled. The older, active 
men in the Society, such as Joseph Atkins. Sen., Curtiss 
Hall, and John Bronson, were born elsewhere, and had 
come into the community ^nd settled as farmers. The 
younger men, like Aaron Harrison, Daniel Byington, Jr., 
Joseph Atkins, Jr., and manyothers who were active mem- 
bers in the Society, were born here, or a little time before 
their parents came here, and were just beginning in the 
world, having no fortune of money, or old homesteads left 
them. The sixteen thousand acres of land in the parish, 
with all other taxable property, amounted in the assess- 
ment on the tax list to about two dollars and fifty cents 
per acre, or forty thousand dollars, or £8,000. Some of 
this amount belonged to Episcopalians, and hence was 
not available to the parish. The parish proper contained 
about seventy-five families, and the $40,000 divided 
equally among them, gives them about five hundred dol- 
lars of farming capital each, in the assessment list. 

If we were building a church to-day, and should find a 
family with only such a capital in farming, we would be 
moved to pass by without asking a dollar, even for the 
church. Yet they taxed themselves toward building 
the church equal to six dollars a family. Several of these 
families were building houses for their own shelter from 
the cold and the storm.* 

How could the}-, with all other expense- growing out 
of the forming of a new parish, build and pay for a meet- 
ing house ? Yet they did it, for the house was built at 

* Quite a number of them were Iivine in Los: houses. 



24 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

that time, and we hear nothing of debts for a meeting 
house afterward.* 

On the 26th day of October, 1772, at a parish meeting, 
they voted to have " our meetings for the future in the 
Meeting house." Here was the Meeting house so far 
completed that they could hold meetings in it. What a 
day of gladness to all who loved the " Hill of Zion" must 
that have been when they first assembled in that house ! 

This Meeting house stood on the north side of the 
"Green," or "Square," facing the Green, and also facing 
the south. The principal door was in the front, and there 
was a door also in each end, east and west. It is said that 
the house stood on the line that divided the towns from 
which the parish was formed, — half in Waterbury and half 
in Farmington. The house at first was not finished inside. 
The floor was laid, the frame-work of the gallery was 
put in its place, and the stairs were built. The gallery 
may have been used some on special occasions, and for 
the singers, in which case a temporary flooring must have 
been laid, but ordinarily the singers sat below. The 
house was furnished in the simplest manner for some ten 
years, there being neither pews, stationary seats, nor per- 
manent pulpit. 

There were probably but little if any dedicatory ser- 
vices, as they had no pastor, though they were trying to 
arrange with a Mr. Jackson to become their pastor ; but 
in this they did not succeed. 

Rev. Mr. Keys said, in an obituary notice, that Deacon 
Aaron Harrison made the first public prayer that was 
made in this house. This is all we can learn of dedica- 
tory services. 

At this time there were neither church organization nor 
church officers. The Society was organized, and had a 
Meeting house, and the parish had charge of many duties 

:]: Since writing the above I have found that there was a small amount of 
indebtedness for the lumber, not paid till some ten to twelve years after. 



BUILDING A MEETING HOUSE. 25 

which were attended to by town officers in other parts. 
In Westbury and Waterbury the town managed ecclesi- 
astical matters for years, but in Farmingbury the Eccle- 
siastical Society conducted man}' interests belonging to 
the towns. 

As illustrative of the man)' interests they attended to, 
we give a list of the officers chosen at some of the Society 
meetings for a few years after the organization : 

OFFICERS CHOSEN NOV. 13, 1770. 

Moderator, Capt. Aaron Harrison ; Clerk for the year, Daniel 
Byington, Sen.; Society Committee for the Year, Lieut. Josiah 
rs, Mr. John Alcox, Mr. Stephen Barnes, Mr. John Branson, 
Mr. Amos Seward ; Collectors to collect the Society Rate, Curtiss 
Hall and Daniel Alcox; Treasurer, Lieut. Josiah Rogers; School 
Committee for the year, David Norton, Seth Bartholomew, Daniel 
Alcox, Amos Beecher, Joseph Beecher, Justus Peck, Capt. Aaron 
Harrison, Stephen Barnes, and Samuel Upson ; Special Commit- 
tee to Divide the Society into Districts, David Warner, Wait 
Hotchkiss, Simeon Hopkins, Nathaniel Lewis. Capt. Aaron Har- 
rison. Joseph Beecher; To read the Psalms for the year, Capt. 
Aaron Harrison and Mr. Amos Seward; Grave-Digger, John 
Barrett. 

Voted that the schooling should be by the poll, and that each 
School Committee shall collect their poll rate in his district. 

In December of the same year, 1770, at the adjourned 
meeting, they again elected officers : 

To take the marks of Stray Sheep, Daniel Johnson and Daniel 
Byington; Chainmen, to measure the Society, Sergt. Samuel 
Smith, James Warner, and David Bronson ; County Surveyor, 
Lieut. Ashbel Potter; To collect the Rate to pay for Surveying the 
Parish, Abel Curtiss and Curtiss Hall. 

1771. 

At the annual meeting held in November, 1771, they 
elected the following officers : 

Moderator, Isaac Hopkins; Clerk for the year, Daniel Bying- 



26 HTSTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

ton ; Treasurer, Lieut. Josiab Rogers ; Society Committee for the 
year, Mr. David Norton, Mr. Amos Seward, Sergt. Stephen Barnes, 
Mr. Daniel Alcox, and Mr. Joseph Beecher. Collectors, Heman 
Hall and Joseph Atkins, Jr.; To Collect the Churchmen's Rate, 
Ensign Oliver Welton ; School Committee, Joseph Sutliff, Jr., Jo- 
seph Atkins, Jr., Ensign John Alcox, Amos Seward, Capt. Aaron 
Harrison, Jedediah Minor, Nathaniel Lewis, Samuel Plumb, and 
Daniel Finch. 

Voted that each School Committee shall collect the poll rate. 

1772. 

At a meeting in March. 1772, a committee was appointed to 
" Fix a place or places for burying grounds, consisting of Ensign 
Welton, Capt. Harrison, Sergt. Barnes, Mr. Joseph Beecher, Mr. 
Israel Clark." 

In November, 1772: Moderator, Capt. Isaac Hopkins; Clerk 
for the year, Daniel Byington ; Society Committee, Mr. David 
Norton, Mr. Amos Seward, Lieut. John Alcox, Mr. Joseph 
Beecher, Mr. John Bronson, Mr. Stephen Barnes, and Daniel 
Alcox; Treasurer, Lieut. Josiah Rogers; School Committee, 
Mr. Simeon Hopkins, Jacob Carter, Capt. Aaron Harrison, 
Eliakim Welton, Jr., Joseph Beecher, Justus Peck, Daniel Bying- 
ton, John Bronson, Samuel Upson. 

Voted that the school shall be by poll, and that each School 
Committee shall collect the poll rate. 

Special Collectors, Ensign Oliver Welton and Eliakim Welton, 
Jr.; Collectors for the year, Levi Gaylnrd and Justus Peck; 
Special Committee to try to secure Mr. Jackson as Pastor, Capt. 
Harrison, Mr. Hotchkiss, Lieut. Rogers, Sergt. Barnes, and Mr. 
Amos Seward. 

1773- 

Officers chosen in Society meeting', November, 1773 : 

Moderator, Capt. Hopkins ; Clerk, Daniel Byington ; Treas- 
urer, Simeon Hopkins ; Society Committee, Mr. Amos Seward, 
Mr. Joseph Beecher, and Sergt. Stephen Barnes ; Collector, Justus 
Peck; School Committee, Stephen Barnes, Capt. Harrison, Joseph 
Beecher, John Bronson, Daniel Byington, Nathaniel Sutliff, Amos 
Seward, and Daniel Alcox ; Grave Digger, John Barrett ; To take 



BUILDING A MEETING HOUSE. 2J 

the marks of Stray Sheep, Daniel Johnson and Daniel Byington; 
Extra School Committee, Lieut. Rogers, Capt. Harrison, Na- 
thaniel Lewis, Samuel Upson, and Capt. Hopkins were chosen a 
Committee to "view the School Districts and alter them as they 
see fit." 

The list of offices filled for the next year includes sonic 
in addition to those already given, and nearly completes 
the list of those appointed by the Society. 

NOVEMBER 28, I 7 7 4. 

Moderator, Deacon Aaron Harrison; Clerk, Daniel Byington; 
Treasurer, Simeon Hopkins ; Society Committee, Mr. Amos Sew- 
ard. Sergt. Stephen Barnes. Mr. Samuel Upson; Collectors, Mark 
Harrison and James Thomas ; Grave Digger, John Barrett ; Ley 
Keeper, Daniel Alcox ; School Committee. Justus Peck, Jessie 
Alcox, Deacon Harrison, Sergt. Stephen Barnes, Daniel Johnson, 
Amos Seward, Simeon Hopkins, Daniel Alcox, Eliakim Wel- 
ton, Jr. 

At the same meeting, " Voted, that we would try the 
affair respecting the land belonging in Southington." 
Here was a resolution to enter into a suit at law with 
Southington. 

At an adjourned meeting held the week afte the above 
action, it was " Voted to reconsider the vote by which 
Samuel Upson was nominated Constable, and also that 
by which Eliakim Welton was nominated Surveyor." 

By these votes it seems that the Parish sometimes 
nominated such officers ; or that having done so once, it 
seemed wise to withdraw the nomination. 

'idle energy and correctness with which these men en- 
tered upon this work indicates more than an ordinary 
business talent and spirit in the community, for I venture 
that few ecclesiastical societies and towns in this or any 
other State have kept as full records and attended to all 
items of public interest with greater care than has been 
the case here. 



CHAPTER III. 

OBTAINING A PASTOR. 

At the first Society meeting, Nov. 13, 1770, the follow- 
ing record was made: "Capt. Aaron Harrison was cho- 
sen to read the psalms for the year ensuing. At the same 
meeting Amos Seward was chosen for the same purpose." 
At the same meeting five choiristers were appointed, and 
it was voted to " give Mr. Joseph Atkins £1 5s od for the 
use of his house to meet in on the Sabbath, for the year 
ensuing until the first of May next." 

In the adjourned meeting held in December, about a 
month later, it was " Voted to lay a rate of one penny 
half penny on the pound to procure preaching." 

At the meeting, the next April 22d, 1 77 1 , they "Voted 
to have preaching this summer," and, to sustain this, they 
voted to lay a "half penny rate in addition to the penny 
half penny" voted in December previous. As the tax list 
of the Parish amounted to about three thousand five hun- 
dred pounds, this tax brought them only one hundred and 
fifty dollars, and at five dollars a Sabbath, this would 
give them preaching thirty Sabbaths, or a little over two 
Sabbaths in the month during the year. Hence, because 
of this small sum with which to maintain public worship, 
they at this same meeting, April, 177 1 , "Voted to have 
all the land in this Society taxed," and appointed Captain 
Aaron Harrison and Mr. Stephen Barnes agents to pro- 
cure a grant from the Assembly to this effect ; but it was 
so late in the session that the application was not made 
till the next meeting of the Assembly in the Autumn. 
Hence at an adjourned meeting held on the last Monday 
of the following September they "voted to have the said 



OBTAINING A PASTOR. 29 

memorial for said land tax to be carried into the next 
Assembly ; giving the agents leave to alter in respect to 
the Churchmen as they think best." Mr. Samuel Upson, 
Daniel Alcox, and Joseph Atkins were appointed agents 
to carry the Memorial to the Assembly. It was carried 
and the result appears in the following 

GRANT OF THE ASSEMBLY. 

At a General Assembly of the Governor and company of the Colour of Con- 
nection/, hclden at New Haven, on the id Thurfd&y of October, Anno 

Domini, 1771 : 

Upon a memorial of the Society of Farmingbury presented by 
Joseph Atkins, Samuel Upson, and Daniel Alcox, agents for said 
Society, representing to this Assembly that the list of said Society 
is small, and they unable to set up and maintain the Worship of 
God among them without some further help, praying for a tax on 
all the lands within said Society, &c, as per memorial on file: 

Resolved by this Assembly, that a tax of three pence on the 
acre for the term of four years, to be annually collected, be laid on 
all the lands within said Society which belong to the Inhabitants 
living within the limits of said Society, not being professors of the 
Church of England, and also on that part of the lands of the non- 
resident Proprietors, which land is not put into the General list of 
such non-resident proprietors, and not holden to pay taxes in 
other Societies or towns : and Stephen Barnes, of Farmington, 
and Dani'd Alcox. of Waterbury, are hereby appointed and fully 
empowered to collect the said tax of the Proprietors of such lands 
as aforesaid, and the same to pay to the Committee of said Society 
to be improved to set up and maintain a Gospel ministry in said 
Society ; and that the Secretary of the Colony shall issue and sign 
warrants for the collecting of said tax in form of law. 
A true cop) of record. 

Examined 

By GEORGE WYLLYS, Sec. 

By this tax the Society raised, probably, four hundred 
and fifty dollars. If it had received a tax on all the lands 
within its bounds, at three pence per acre, it would have 
received about six hundred dollars, but the Episcopalians 
and some others were exempt. 



30 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Several persons were paying taxes for church support 
in Bristol and Waterbury and perhaps Southington. 
The Society, also, released every year quite a number of 
persons from paying their rate. 

It was very soon after this grant of tax from the As- 
sembly that this Society voted to "go about building a 
Meeting house forthwith," and it is possible that some of 
this tax money was used in building the Meeting house, 
which would be "setting up and maintaining the worship 
of God." 

At the annual meeting, November, 177 1, they "Voted 
to give John Atkins, Jr., ten shillings for the use of his 
house the summer past," and also to " Give Mr. Atkins 
and his son five shillings per month" for the future. And 
at the same meeting they "Voted to lay a rate of two 
pence on the pound, to be laid out for preaching the 
ensuing year." 

Thus had they passed through the first year of ecclesi- 
astical society work. That they had had preaching 
much of the time is quite evident from the fact of the use 
of the money raised for that special purpose ; and, also, 
from the fact of laying another tax for the same purpose, 
besides that which was to come by the Assembly tax. 
To read the psalms the ensuing year, they had appointed 
Mr. Isaac Hopkins, Capt. Aaron Harrison, and Mr. 
Amos Seward. They meant "progress," and began to 
look more cheerfully for a minister who should become 
their pastor. In January, 1772, they met and made 
further arrangements for a Meeting house. In March 
they met again, and decided as to the laying of the 
foundation of the Meeting house. In April they held 
another meeting, and arranged further concerning the 
foundation. 

THE FIRST CALL. 

On the first day of June, 1772, in a Society meeting 
they " Voted to give Mr. Jackson a call on probation." He 



OBTAINING A PASTOR. 31 

had probably been preaching to them a few Sabbaths be- 
fore this meeting was held, and he accepted this call on 
probation. On the second Monday of the next August 
they voted "to meet on the Sabbath at Mr. Upson's new 
house." Hitherto they had met at Air. Atkins' house, but 
now the) r go to the new house, probably because it was 
larger and more commodious. Where this house was we 
cannot learn definitely, but the Upson families resided 
near the center on the north road, and it was doubtless 
on that road.'"' 

The Society met again on the last Monday in the- fol- 
lowing September and voted to have Mr. Jackson on 
probation one month longer, and also that the Society's 
Committee should " go and treat with Mr. Jackson 
whether he will stay one month longer on probation, and 
likewise to ask him whether he will settle with us if we 
can agree on terms." At the end of the month, 26th of 
October, they came together and voted to settle Mr. 
Jackson if they could agree, and adjourned the meeting 
one hour. When they met, at the end of the hour, they 
agreed to give Mr. Jackson as a settlement 175 pounds 
and to be "four years paying said settlement," and to 
" give 50 pounds salary, to be paid yearly, four years,'' 
and then to raise it to 75 pounds; "to be continued dur- 
ing his continuing with us.'' 

And it was at this meeting that it was voted to hold 
their meetings for the future in the Meeting house. Mr. 
Jackson did not accept this call, but appears to have con- 
tinued to preach to the Society several weeks, for on 
the last day of November, 1772, a month later, -the)- ap- 
pointed a special committee to prevail with him to settle 
with them ; and this committee did not succeed. In the 
next meeting, in January, 1773, they voted to " apply to 
some man to preach with us on probation a few- Sabbaths." 

* Since writing the above, we have learned that this house was that of 
Mr. Thomas Upson, and was the house where Charles Upson, Esquire, after- 
wards resided, and where Mr. Joseph II. Somers now resido. 



32 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Thus were they all "at sea" again concerning a Minister 
and Pastor. 

A PASTOR OBTAINED. 

On the second day of August, 1773, the record says: 
" Voted to continue Mr. Gillet with us as a preacher 
longer." "Voted to improve Mr. Gillet ten Sabbaths 
more, and on probation." On the second Monday of 
October next, before the ten weeks were ended, they 
gave Mr. Gillet a call, agreeing to give him as a settle- 
ment 175 pounds, and to be four years paying the settle- 
ment, and to pay him 50 pounds salary yearly for four 
years, and then raise it to 75 pounds yearly, which was 
$250 a year for four years, and after that $375 a year. 

Mr. Gillet accepted this invitation, as appears from the 
fact that the Society held another meeting about six 
weeks after the invitation was given (Nov. 29th), and 
voted to have the "ordination on the 29th day of De- 
cember next," and voted also that "All that is due to 
Mr. Gillet shall be paid the first of March next ; and all 
that shall become due between this time and the first of 
said March, together with one-quarter of the settlement 
proposed by the Society." 

The minister thus found by the Society could hot be 
installed over a church until a church should be organ- 
ized, and to this work Mr. Gillet gave his attention. Here 
were scattered sheep in the wilderness, and duty was laid 
on him to look till he should find them, and gather them 
into one fold. Some were members in Waterbury, some 
in Southington, and other places. Of this there is no 
specific record, only that they were " members of several 
churches." 

The only ceremony at the organization was the signing 
of "The Covenant of Confederation," in a meeting held 
for that purpose on the 18th of November, 1773. The 
original paper which they signed is not preserved ; that 
which we have is the record which Mr. Gillet wrote in 



OBT FINING A PASTOR. 33 

the Church Hook five years after he was installed. This 
hr.ok. the first used for church records, is a paper-covered, 
foolscap-size, unruled book of twenty-four sheets. It is 
literally "crammed" with Writing, except parts of a few 
pages. The last record made was in 1830, by Deacon 
Isaac Bronson. On the first page of this book Mr. Gillet 
wrote the following statement, in an elegant handwriting: 
"A Book of Church Records from the year 1774. or De- 
cember 29th, 1773. for Farmingbury Church. Alexander 
Gillet, Pastor." 

The third page of this book contains the record of the 
formation of the church, and we give it just as Mr. Gillet 
wrote it, excepting the ornamental part : 

"the foundation of the church at farmingbury. 

Their Covenant of confederation, assented to at Farmingbury, November 
l8M, E773. 

Ac, who are members of several churches, desiring to be built 
up a spiritual house on the foundation of the Apostles and Proph- 
ets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone, in order to offer 
spiritual gifts and sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ, 
and being united in the bonds of Christian love, and in the faith 
of the gospel of Christ, do this day renewedly dedicate ourselves 
to God, acknowledging our great obligation to walk in all the com- 
mandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, — and in the 
presence of God, angels, and men, do enter into covenant obli- 
gation with each other, as members in particular of one distinct 
and entire church, for all the purposes of Christian edification ; 
promising, by the grace of God, to treat each other with all the 
tenderness, faithfulness, and watchfulness, which become members 
of the same body of Christ, humbly depending on, and begging 
grace from God, that we may find so much favor in His sight as 
to be found faithful to these our solemn obligations, through Jesus 
Christ our Lord. In confirmation of which we here subscribe 
our names. November, &c. 

Aaron Harrison, Deacon, and Jerusha his wife. 
Josiah Rogers, Deacon, and Sarah his wife. 
Isaac Hopkins, and Mary his wife. 

4 



34 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Joseph Atkins, and Abigail his wife. 

Thomas Upson. 

Joseph Sutliff. 

Amos Seward, and Ruth his wife. 

David Norton. 

John Alcox, and Mary his wife. 

Samuel Dpson. 

Wait Hotchkiss, and Lydia his wife. 

Nathaniel Butler, and Rebecca his wife. 

Elizabeth Porter. 

Daniel Alcox, and Elizabeth his wife. 

Joseph Hotchkiss and Hannah his wife. 

Judah Frisbie. 

Israel Clark, and Mahetable his wife. 

Daniel Lane, and Jemima his wife. 

Stephen Miles. 

Stephen Barnes, and Sarah his wife. 

Zadoc Bronson, and Eunice his wife. 

Lucy Peck, the wife of Justus Peck. 

Rebecca, wife of Nathaniel Hitchcock. 

Esther Barrett. 

Joseph Benham, and Elizabeth his wife. 

Josiah Barnes. 

Admitted by letter, &c, December 22d, 1773, — William Smith, Anne, 

wife of James Bailey ; John Bronson, David Frost. 
January 2d, 1774, Samuel Bradley. 
By letter, Ephraim Pratt and his wife. 
Elizabeth, wife of Ebenezer Wakelee. 
Admitted January 16th, 1774, Sarah, wife of Isaac Clark, Martha, wife 

of Aaron Howe. 
January 30th, Daniel Byington. 

These names, with the above "covenant," fill the third 
page of the book. They are given entire, as an illus- 
tration of Mr. Gillet's method of church work. 

Of these persons, there were forty-one who united in 
organizing the church ; four united with the church one 
month later, in December, and seven united during Jan- 
uary following. 

The church being organized, their next step was the 
ordination of a pastor. There is no record of any action 
of the Church separate from that of the Society, yet it is 
evident that the Church united cordially with the So- 
ciety in calling an ordaining Council. 



OBTAINING A PASTOR. 35 

The record of the ordination is as follows : 

At an Ecclesiastical Council at Farmingbury, on Wednesday, 
the 29th of December, 1 773, invited by the church in said Farming- 
bury for the purpose of the solemn separation of Mr. Alexander 
Gillet to the pastoral charge of said Church, and to the work of 
the gospel ministry in said Society, — -convened according to let- 
ters missive : Present, Elders, — John Trumbull, Mark Leaven- 
worth, Samuel Newell, Timothy Pitkin, Joseph Strong, Andrew 
Stores, Rufus Hawley. Messengers, — Thomas Matthews, Esq., 
Deacon Andrew Bronson, Deacon Stephen Hotchkiss, Deacon 
Seth Lee, Judah Holcomb, Esq., Deacon John Warner, Joseph 
Hart, Esq. 

Rev. John Trumbull was chosen Moderator, and Timothy Pit- 
kin chosen Scribe. This Council, having been certified by attested 
copies from records, both of this Church and Society, of their re- 
spective united invitations of Mr. Alexander Gillet to be their 
pastor, and his acceptance of their invitation, proceeded to ex- 
amine Mr. Gillet as to his regular church membership, and his 
views and ends in entering into the sacred work of the gospel 
ministry, and qualifications therefor, are of opinion that the way 
is clear for this Council to proceed to the solemn separation of 
Mr. Alexander Gillet to the work of the gospel ministry and pas- 
toral office in this place. 

The Rev. Mr. Stores to make the prayer before the sermon, 
Rev. Mr. Strong to preach the sermon. Rev. Mr. Leavenworth to 
make the prayer before the charge, and Rev. Mr. Trumbull to give 
the charge ; the Rev. Mr. Newell to make the prayer after the 
charge, and Rev. Mr. Hawley to give the right hand of fellowship. 
Passed in Council, 

Test. TIMOTHY PITKIN, Scribe. 

On the same day that the Council was convened the 
Church held a meeting, and adopted some statements 

CONCERNING CHURCH DISCIPLINE.* 

At a church meeting held in Farmingbury December 29th, 1773, 
after mature consideration, the church agreed and voted in ye 

* Two or three samples only of the spelling and literal methods of writ- 
ing in olden times are given in this hook ; all else is put into modern style 
as nearly as possible. 



36 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

following plan of chh discipline : That this chh takes ye word of 
God . to be the only sure and unerring rule of chh Discipline ; 
neither do we think that any platform of human composure, with- 
out just exceptions. However, we agree that ye platform drawn 
up by ye Elders & Messengers of y e chhs of Connecticut, con- 
vened at Saybrook, A. D., 1808, in ye main is agreeable to ye 
Word of God & a good Directory. But, 

1st. We are not well satisfied that ye 7th article in ye heads of 
agreement, drawn up by ye Elders & Messengers aforesaid, and 
ye first article in ye administration of chh discipline are without 
just exceptions; but we are of opinion yt ye administration of 
chh discipline is communicated jointly to Pastor & church. How- 
ever, as Pastors or Elders are worthy of double honor, so we be- 
lieve they ought to have and be allowed a double vote in all acts 
and votes of ye chh. 

2ly- We are not satisfied with ye 7th article, that a chh in ye 
calling of a council, ought to be confined to y e consociated chhs 
of ye circuit to which they belong ; but we believe that ye chhs 
when they so agree, have a right to call in a promiscuous Council. 

3rd. With respect to y e 8th article we are not satisfied. But 
we think an offending brother has no liberty of appealing to a 
Council, either before or after excommunication from ye chh, un- 
less ye Pastor & church judge that ye nature of ye case require it, 
and will join in calling a Council. 

4thly. With respect likewise to ye 4th article, we are not very 
well satisfied, for we believe that whenever a Council is called, 
nothing ought to be deemed an act of it which hath not ye major 
part of ye Elders separate, and likewise of ye Messengers present. 

5 thly. Lastly, we are not satisfied with ye 14th article ; for tho' 
we allow it to be expedient, yet destitute and bereaved chhs 3 J n 
ordinary cases, consult ye association, and take their advice con- 
cerning those persons who are fit to be called and settled in the 
gospel ministry among them ; yet notwithstanding, as we believe 
yt chhs have a right of choosing their own officers, so we do not 
look upon it they are absolutely bound to adhere to such advice 
at all times ; but there may be cases in which they have a right to 
judge for themselves, and act without it. 

Concerning ye rest of ye articles in Saybrook Platform, we are 



OBTAINING A PASTOR. 37 

so far satisfied with them as to agree in taking them as a good 
help to understand ye mind of God in ye administration of chh 
discipline, and we agree to act in conformity to them till God 
please to give us further light. 

At a chh meeting, Farmingbury, April 15th, 1779, the chh 
voted to adopt ye above plan of chh discipline. 

Test. ALEXANDER GILLET, Pastor. 

Thus was the first gospel minister settled in Farming- 
bury, afterwards Wolcott, to feed the flock of God and 
publish glad tidings to lost sinners. The scattered 
sheep had waited long for a fold, for they began to peti- 
tion the General Assembly for such privileges, in 1760, 
and had continued their toils and oft-repeated petitions 
until the desired object was obtained and the}- had a Zion 
in the midst of them. One thing remained yet to be done 
to make complete the outward working of a church,- — the 
election of deacons, and the consequent orderly adminis- 
tration of the sacraments. 

The sacrament of baptism was administered the first 
time, in January, 1774, to a child : Eunice, the daughter 
of Stephen and Zilpha Pratt. 

On the 29th of January, 1774, the church met for the 
purpose of electing deacons, and elected Captain Aaron 
Harrison for their first deacon, and Lieutenant Josiah Rog- 
ers for their second. They also "voted that the Sacra- 
ment of the Lord's Supper be observed once in two 
months ; the first to be on the first Saturday of February 
ensuing." It was probably observed on the 6th of that 
month, when Levi Gaylord and Lois his wife united with 
the church. 



CHAPTER IV. 

DURING MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY : FROM 1 773 TO 1791. 

The ministry of Mr. Gillet, as a settled pastor, began 
on the first Sabbath of January, 1774, with a church mem- 
bership of forty-five persons, and a parish numbering 
scarcely seventy-five families, the greater part of whom 
had come into the territory within the twenty years 
preceding the organization of the church ; so that the 
whole parish was only a new settlement. 

The settlement was began, in Waterbury part, in 1731, 
by Mr. John Alcock. Mr. Thomas Upson removed into the 
south-east corner of the parish territory in 1732 or 1733, 
but most of the other families living in the eastern part of 
the parish in 1773 had removed thither after 1755, as nearly 
as can be ascertained. The comforts of these families, 
when Mr. Gillet's work began, were of the most restricted 
kind. Many of them resided in log houses, with no out- 
houses of an)' kind ; a haystack with a fence around it 
was the only barn some of them possessed. Many years 
after, Mr. John Bronson, father of the Bronson families 
in this parish, quoted the text : " Is it time for you, O 
ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house 
lie waste ?" and said he was not guilty of living in a 
ceiled house while the Meeting house was unceiled. In 
1795, the Meeting house was ceiled ; but Mr. Bronson's 
dwelling was not, until some time afterward. The west- 
ern, or Waterbury part of the parish, was more advanced 
in settlement, but was mostly a wilderness of heavy 
timber. Mr. Judah Frisbie, one of the first settlers in 
Woodtick, if not the very first, purchased land there in the 
fall of 1773 ; the deed of the same being still preserved. 



DURING MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY. 39 

Mr. John Alcock had been in the parish territory thirty- 
two years when the church was organized ; and some of 
his sons and daughters were settled on their farms before 
1773. Mr. Isaac Hopkins and Benjamin Harrison father 
of Deacon Aaron Harrison), and a few other families, 
had been in the parish about thirty years. 

This was Mr. Gillet's parish. The remark is attributed 
to the oldest inhabitants, that when the Meeting house- 
was raised, all the inhabitants in the parish could sit on 
its "sills." If those sills were of the length fixed upon 
by the Society in its first vote on the subject, they were 
42 by 58 feet, and would not have seated over 140 per- 
sons, — men,- women, and children. 

Mr. Gillefc graduated at Vale College, September, 1770. 
In 1 77 1 he united with the church in Granby. After 
graduating, he taught school in Farmington a year or 
more, and may have studied theology during that time, 
under the direction of Rev. Timothy Pitkin, then pastor 
of the Farmington church. He was licensed to preach by 
the Hartford Association, on the 2d day of June, 1773, and 
on the 2d day of next August, the Society in Farming- 
bury "voted to continue Mr. Gillet ten. Sabbaths more, 
and on probation." He had probably preached two Sab- 
baths, and these with the ten made three months, at the 
end of which he was installed. When he settled here he- 
was unmarried, was twenty-four years of age, naturally of 
a quiet spirit, but devotedly, and what is often called 
deeply religious. The good order with which all church 
matters were arranged, indicates a qualification, both in 
maturity of thought and in devotedness to the work, 
equal to the position he had accepted. Many churches, 
directed by older men, have not been as well directed ; 
and it is seldom that church records are as full}- kept and 
as carefully preserved as these ; and to this preservation 
of these first records is clue, in a large degree, this book 
of history. 

Mr. Gillet's father, Capt. Zaccheus Gillet, removed into 



4-0 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

the parish soon after the installation of his son, and 
therefore it became home, indeed, to the young pastor. 

Under Mr. Gillet's labors, the church, from the first, 
experienced a gradual growth, receiving members on 
profession of their faith from month to month, and some 
of the time from Sabbath to Sabbath. In June follow- 
ing the organization, there were sixty-two members. 
Ten years later, one hundred and three persons had united 
with the church. During his whole ministry, which lasted 
eighteen years, one hundred and forty persons were re- 
corded as members of the church, — ninety-nine besides 
those who organized the church, and most of them by 
profession. 

Through Mr. Gillet's efforts a library was formed for the 
parish. The only account of it which I have been able 
to procure is contained in an inscription in one of the 
books which has come into my hands : "This book be- 
longs to the library in Farmingbury. Founded Novem- 
ber 5, 1779. No. 50." This library was, after some years, 
scattered among the original contributors, and between 
1820 and 1830, another was formed, which suffered a like 
fate. 

In 1784, a larger number united with the church 
than in any other year during his stay in the parish. 
This was the result of some special efforts made in the 
previous year. From some writings left by Deacon Isaac 
Bronson, we learn that in 1783, "Mr. Gillet was unable 
to preach, and Rev. Fclmond Mills preached here, and 
there was quite an awakening among the people, so that 
they had preaching three times on the Sabbath, and con- 
ferences three or four times a week;" and "Mr. Gillet 
visited from house to house, and brought many good 
preachers here," so that the "awakening soon became 
general," and this continued, somewhat, during the sum- 
mer, and on "August the 9th, on Saturday, while alone 
at work," Isaac Bronson became greatly awakened in his 
own behalf. This interest in the church "greatly ani- 



1)1 RING MR. GILLETS MINISTRY. 41 

mated Mr. Gillet," and his health began to improve, and 

after a few months he resumed his preaching. 

By a vote of the Society, in June. 1783, Mr. Mills was 
hired to preach. No length of time is specified, but 
the probability is that he preached three or four months. 
At the next annual meeting of the Society Mr. Gillet's 
salary was made "the same as other years ;" and while 
the}' paid two ministers, the Society received more than 
double benefit, for more members were added than during 
the five years preceding, ami the church was greatly 
quickened, and the minister much encouraged in his work. 
Previous to this revival there had been some things to 
discourage the minister and the church, and the commu- 
nity felt these influences more, even, than the church and 
minister. Deacon Isaac Bronson, speaking of the effort 
which Mr. Gillet made, in connection with the preaching 
of Mr. Mills, says : "A serious attention began to take 
place, which Mr. Gillet perceiving, was greatly animated 
himself, and brought man}' good preachers here, and went 
round to every house to visit his people, and alarm them 
from that stupidity which for a long time had grossly 
overspread the Society." 

During the ten years since the organization of the 
church, there had been several cases of church discipline 
which caused much trouble, and as is usual, much dead- 
ness in church interests. The first case arose in June, 
1774, peculiar in itself, because it related somewhat to 
the civil courts. It caused considerable difference of 
opinion, and some personal feeling, and in regard to it 
the church voted twice to call a council ; but they finally 
settled it among themselves by making " null and void* 
all the votes that had been passed in regard to it," and 
likewise voted "to banish all differences which had been 
entertained, one towards another, and conduct them- 
selves as forgiving Christian brethren." 

In 1779, another difficult}' arose, and continued till the 
autumn of 1781, when a council rendered its decision, and 



42 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

the church " voted to consent to the doings and advice 
of the Ecclesiastical Council," and "that all matters of 
past altercation, complaint, and uneasiness shall be laid 
aside ; and that the pastor and the church shall not re- 
ceive any manner of complaint whatsoever from any per- 
son for anything that has been matter of complaint before 
the Council." But a further difficulty grew out of this 
same case, about one year after the above settlement, 
and caused some further feeling and dissatisfaction to- 
wards the minister and among the members of the 
church. 

These troubles, doubtless, affected the sensitive mind 
of the pastor, and ma}- have had much weight in dis- 
couraging him, and bringing him to that state of health 
in which he was not able to preach. Hence, when the 
signs of revival appeared among the people in 1783, it 
was the morning of a new life to pastor and people, and 
was, in effect, like the passing away of a very cold win- 
ter, and the coming of April showers ; all things began 
to spring into life and activity. The church had been 
overcome and trodden clown by the spirit of the world. 
The revival was like the return of the captives from 
Babylon after seventy years. Jerusalem was all astir, 
and the walls of the city and of the temple began to rise 
from the dust and ruins with marvelous rapidity, and 
promise of final completion. 

RESULTS. 

Several things resulted from this revival worth) 7 of no- 
tice. They proceeded to " improve the Meeting house." 
Hitherto the Meeting house had no stationary seats 
or pews. Their place was supplied with seats from 
various sources, — among others, some provided chairs 
for themselves. There is now in the possession of Mrs. 
Henry Carter a chair that was used by some of her ances- 
tors for this purpose. 

The gallery had no floor or seats in it, and there had been 
no plastering or ceiling done in the house. In Decern- 



DURING MR. GILLETS MINISTRY. 43 

ber, 1783, the Society appointed " Lieut. Joseph Beecher, 
Deacon Josiah Rogers, Capt. Daniel Alcox, Capt. Samuel 
Up^on, Esquire Stephen Barnes, Mr. Amos Seward, and 
Daniel Byington, a committee to settle the Meeting house 
accounts." These accounts had never been fully settled 
since the building of the Meeting house. There does 
not appear to have been debts of. any great amount, but 
there was some trouble in adjusting these accounts 
among the different parties interested. This committee 
did not succeed in this matter, and in the spring (May 
4, 1784), they appointed another committee, " with power 
to settle them according to their best judgment." This 
committee was the same as the former, except Mr. Simeon 
Hopkins in place of Deacon Rogers. At this meeting in 
May the} - " voted that we should do something to the 
Meeting house." " Voted that the joiner work to the low- 
er part of the house should be done, and the front seats in 
the gallery, if there should be stuff enough." At the same 
meeting, Mr. David Norton, Capt. Nathaniel Lewis, and 
Lieut. Charles Upson were chosen a Meeting house com- 
mittee. " Voted that the lower part of said Meeting 
house be ceiled up to the windows, and be made into 
pews, and the work to be done decent and plain. Voted 
to lay a rate of four pence (which was afterwards made 
to five pence) on the pound, to be laid on the list of [783, 
to be paid by the first of October next, in wheat, rye, or 
Indian corn." At the same meeting Heman Hall and 
Nathan Stevens were chosen to collect said rate. This 
tax, with a one-penny addition laid on the list of 1784, 
to be paid the first of October, 1785, was, doubtless, for 
these expenses on the Meeting house. 

Since writing the above a paper has been presented me 
by Mr. Silas B.Terry, of YVaterbury, which was the order 
of the court for the collection of the tax for repairing the 
Meeting house. The list of assessments is not to be 
found, but reference to a town tax list in the history of tin- 
town, elsewhere in this volume, will give some idea of the 



44 HISTORY OF YVOLCOTT. 

tax to repair the Meeting house, only the Meeting house 
tax is double that of the town tax referred to. 

THE ORDER OF THE COURT. 

To Isaac Barnes, Collector of Society rate for the purpose of 
doing something to the Meeting house of the Parish of Farming- 
bury, in Waterbury, in New Haven County, greeting : 

By virtue of the authority of the State of Connecticut, you are 
hereby commanded forthwith to levy and collect of the persons 
named in the annexed list herewith committed unto you, each one 
his several proportion as therein set down of the sum total of such 
list, being a tax or assessment granted by the inhabitants of the 
said Society of Farmingbury, regularly assembled on the 24th day 
of September, 1784, to defray the charge that shall arise in prose- 
cuting the above said purpose, and pay or deliver such sum or 
sums which you shall so levy and collect unto the Society's treas- 
urer for the time being of the said Society of Farmingbury, at or 
before the first day of October next ensuing the date hereof. 

And if any person or persons shall neglect or refuse to make 
payment of the sum or sums whereof he or they are assessed and 
set in said list, to distrain the goods or chattels of such person or 
persons, and the same dispose of as the law directs, returning the 
surplus, if any be, unto the owner or owners ; and for want of such 
goods and chattels whereon to make distress, you are to take the 
body or bodies of such person or persons refusing, and him or 
them commit unto the keeper of the gaol of said county, within 
the said prison, who is hereby commanded to receive and safely 
keep him or them until he or they pay and satisfy the said sum 
assessed upon him or them as aforesaid, together with your fees ; 
unless the said assessment, or any part thereof, upon application 
made to the county court shall be abated, or otherwise as the law 
directs. 

Dated at Waterbury, this 24th day of September, A. D., 1784. 
JONATHAN BALDWIN, Justice of the Peace. 

When the Meeting house was thus improved by pews, 
it became quite a serious matter how and where the peo- 
ple should sit. On September 24th, 1784, "voted to have 
the front seats done in the gallery." " Voted that Capt. 



DURING MR. GILLETS MINISTRY. 45 

Samuel Upson, Capt. Nathaniel Lewis, Judah Prisbie, 
Simeon Hopkins, and Daniel Peck, be a committee to 
Dignify the Meeting house.'' " Voted to scat the Meet- 
ing house by age." "Voted to have men and women sit 
together." At the same meeting Daniel Norton, Mark- 
Harrison, Daniel Byington, Jacob Carter, Capt. Daniel 
Aicox were chosen a committee to seat the Meeting- 
house. One month after this meeting they met again 
and made further efforts to seat the Meeting house. 
"Voted to give the pew by the pulpit stairs to Mr. Gil- 
let during the pleasure of the Society." " Voted to recon- 
sider the vote that was taken to seat the Meeting house 
by age ; and voted to seat the Meeting house by age 
and by list, allowing eight pounds to a year." " Voted 
that each man have one head, and only one, to be seated 
on." "Voted to have the aged widows seated in the 
first pew east of the pulpit." "Voted that Capt. Daniel 
Alcox, Daniel Byington, Jacob Carter, David Norton, and 
Ensign Streat Richards, and Simeon Hopkins, and Mr. 
Joseph Parker be a committee to seat the Meeting house- 
as above." Two weeks after they met again, and voted 
that the seating of the Meeting house in regard to the 
money list, should be on the list of I//2. That is, if on 
that list a man paid taxes on forty pounds, he should 
have double honor in the church, compared with a man 
forty years old without any list. Also, at this adjourned 
meeting, they " voted to have a pew built over the stairs 
for the niggers." The seats made at this time in the 
gallery, were a row of "front seats," and some years 
after this, there were box pews made in the rear of these 
seats. The pews below were old-fashioned box or square 
pews. The pulpit stood on the north side of the church, 
opposite the front door, with a double window in the rear 
above it ; and there was a door in each end of the church, 
east and west. The pulpit was very high, as was the cus- 
tom in those days, and beneath it, and perhaps extending 
a little in front, were the seats for the deacons, and those 



46 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

important officers who noted the absentees from church, 
and especially those absent from the preparatory lecture 
and the Lord's Supper. The house thus arranged and 
well filled, as it probably was at this time, was well calcu- 
lated to animate the speaker and secure the sympathy 
and attention of the^ audience. The pulpit was high, but 
so were the galleries on the three sides. The pulpit 
stood on the side of the house, — a great advantage over 
its being at the end, according to a more recent style. 

This was as far as the Society could go at this time, 
and though the house was far from being furnished, it was 
a great improvement on the first ten years of its exist- 
ence and use. The Society had some difficulty in paying 
for these improvements and settling the old accounts, 
for in November, 1785, they appointed another commit- 
tee " to settle the old accounts in building the Meeting 
house." 

Another interest arose from the improvements in the 
Meeting house. It was respecting the singing, and the 
singers. Soon after the house improvements were made, 
— that is, in November, 1784, at the annual meeting, they 
appointed three choristers, as they had been accustomed 
for several years, and voted that "the singers should 
have the front seats, if they chose to sit there." That is, 
probably, the front seats in the gallery. 

The next April, at a Society meeting, they voted, 
that "it is our mind to have more help respecting setting 
the psalm," for by vote the church had decided to use 
Watts' Psalms in public worship. They also voted that 
the " singers should have liberty to choose their own 
leaders ;" and then, frightened at this innovation, immedi- 
ately reconsidered the vote and adjourned the meeting- 
two weeks. 

When they came together at the appointed time, they 
were over their fright, and more venturesome than before, 
and voted that " we will leave it with the singers to carry 
on singing as they think best, during the pleasure of the 



DURING MR, GILLETS MINISTRY. 47 

Society." The Society had from the first taken special 
interest in singing, from the fact that they had, for a new 
farming" community, a marvelous number of singers. 
Almost everybody could sing ; and this heavenly talent 
is well continued unto the present day. The following 
list of choristers, chosen previous to 1785, will show 
somewhat the musical talent of the community ; and 
several of them were not only singers, but musicians and 
poets : 

1770. 

Jacob Carter, Levi Bronson, Jared Harrison, Stephen Barnes, 
and David Alcox. 

1771. 

Samuel Upson, Levi Bronson, Jared Harrison, Jacob Carter, 
Samuel Harrison, Cyrus Norton. 

1772. 
Samuel Harrison, Jacob Carter, Cyrus Norton. And for bass 
singers, Mark Harrison, Samuel Atkins, Daniel Finch, and Jared 
Harrison. 

1776. 

Stephen Barnes, Samuel Harrison, Cyrus Norton, Mark Harri- 
son, David Harrison, Ziba Norton. 

1778. . 
Zaccheus Gillet. 

1781. 

Samuel Harrison, Cyrus Norton, Nathan Gillet. 

1784. 
Cyrus Norton, Isaac Carter, Nathan Gillet. 

1785- 

Samuel Harrison, Cyrus Norton, Isaac Carter, Mark Harrison, 
Dr. Potter, Jacob Carter, David Harrison, Ozias Norton, Joseph 
M. Parker, Joseph Miner, Jonathan Carter, Noah Norton, Elijah 
Horton. Thirteen. 

This last array of choristers would frighten modern 
choirs, though many churches would be very glad to see 
the fright. Some persons now living in Wolcott remem- 
ber having seen the front seats in the gallery of the old 



48 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

church on three sides nearly filled with singers, and with 
them the congregation joined in the singing. This was 
during Mr. Keys' ministry. 

In 1787, the Society appointed " a committee to draw 
up a subscription for the encouraging of singing," consist- 
ing of Streat Richards, Mark Harrison, Cyrus Norton, 
Charles Upson, and Isaac Carter ; and some years after 
they "laid a tax" for the same purpose. Such were some 
of the substantial and joyous results of one revival. 

There came into the church at this time men who for 
many years were its leading members : among the more 
prominent of whom were Justus Peck, afterwards deacon, 
whose wife was one of the first members of the church ; 
Charles Upson, afterwards justice of the peace in the town, 
and for quite a number of years an active man in the 
church and Society, Jacob Carter, Samuel Byington, 
Samuel Atkins, and Mark Harrison, afterwards justice of 
the peace, all active and reliable men for years, and some 
of them, many years. Isaac Bronson, though converted 
at the same time, did not unite with the church till 1788, 
and was afterwards made deacon and served the church 
and Society many years, in many offices. He also served 
the town in various offices, being elected Town Clerk and 
Treasurer, when the town was organized, and afterwards 
was Representative in the Assembly for many years. 

There were also gathered into the church at this time 
a number of noble women who strengthened the church 
and did their part in the Redeemer's kingdom. Judah 
Frisbie was one of the formers and first members of the 
church ; his wife was now also led into the fold, and the 
household was one in the church. Wealth}-, wife of 
Charles Upson ; Phebe, wife of Samuel Harrison ; Mary 
Carter, wife of Jacob ; Jerusha Norton, wife of Cyrus ; Es- 
ther Atkins, wife of Samuel ; and a number of others 
equally noted for their honorable lives, as Christian 
women. 

It should be borne in mind that this revival occurred in 



DURING MR. GILLETS MINISTRY. 49 

the year, and soon after the Declaration of Peace, and 
the acknowledgment of the Indept ndence of the United 
Colonies in America. Mr. Gillet had not been settled 
three years when the war " broke out." He and his little 
band had held on their way courageously, considering the 
" trouble" of those years of sore conflict, privations, and 
fears. A number of his fellow citizens and parishioners 
" went to the war ;" some had returned, some never would 
return to the homes they had left. When the war began, 
Southington Mountain, lying just within the eastern 
boundary of Farmingbury, was the most flourishing dis- 
trict in the parish. The line of the mountain runs north 
and south ; and a road was constructed on the ridge or 
highest part of it, nearly the whole length, some two miles 
or more. Along this road were settled some of the most 
thrifty farmers in the parish, on some of the most 
beautifully located land, and most easy of cultivation, in 
the township. 

It is said that the war made such desolation in these 
families, that those who were left began to move into 
other parts ; and the emigration continued until 1 a few 
years since, when the last inhabitant had fled. This 
whole district is now grown up into woods and bushes, 
except a few fields near the only remaining skeleton of a 
house, where stands, as a lonely sentinel, the "sweep" 
over the well; the "old oaken bucket'' having gone 
to the depths of the well many years ago. 

The Revolution began this work of desolation with a 
strong hand, and now the end is fully come. Legends 
of the Revolution are still told, but they are thrown far 
into the shade by the sorrows of war in our own day. 
There is a family now in the parish whose grandfather 
was captain under Washington in Boston and on Long 
Island, and was in the battle which secured the surrender 
of General Burgoyne and his arm}-, in 1777 ; but the re- 
membrance of their only sun and brother, who died in 
5 



50 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Sherman's army, near Atlanta, Georgia, obscures all the 
victories of the Revolution. 

Though the times of the Revolution tried every man's 
courage, and every woman's heart, yet through these 
years this little Society and its ministerial captan, passed 
securely and prosperously, and came out into a "large 
place, beside still waters." 

When a people are in the way of improvements, it is 
easy to continue the same. The added comforts of the 
Meeting house may have suggested the idea of building 
" Sabba Day" houses, for we find a vote passed in 1788 
appointing a committee to direct where such houses 
should be built on the land near the church, owned by 
the Society. Some few were built, but soon went out of 
use, — for 1 have some suspicion that the hotel or tavern 
was the "Sabba Day" house many preferred to any other, 
between sermons. And I find, also, that many of the 
business meetings of the Society were held at Mr. Samuel 
Byington's house, which was the "tavern ;" and Samuel 
Byington was a member of the church, as were also many 
who came in to warm at his "fire." 

MR. GILLET AT HOME. 

Mr. Gillet recorded his own marriage in the Church 
book as occurring " Dec. 3, 1778." This fact is mentioned 
specially because in Sprague's Annals it is given as hav- 
ing taken place "December, 1779," which latter date would 
not look well along with the fact that his son, Timothy 
Phelps, was baptized in this church July 23, 1780. He 
married Adah Rogers, daughter of one of the deacons of 
his church, and a man very prominent in all the doings 
of the church and Society for many years. The marriage 
services were conducted by Rev. Samuel Newell, proba- 
bly in the church. Mr. Newell preached a sermon from 
the following text, John ii : 1,2. " And the third day there 
was a marriage in Cana of Galilee ; and the mother of Je- 
sus was there. And both Jesus was called and his disci- 



HIRIxr, MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY. 51 

pies to the marriage." Mr. Gillet's marriage was on the 
third clay of the month and this made the text more literal 
to the occasion, and it is said that a minister once likened 
Wolcott to the land of Canaan ; possibly the audience at 
this time thought they were in that land, and if the au- 
dience did not, perhaps the bride and bridegroom did. 
Mr. Gillet and wife resided first about half a mile east of 
the church, in a house now entirely gone, part of the walls 
of the cellar only are remaining. He afterwards built 
a house on a farm, a quarter of a mile north of the church 
on the east side of the road. This house is still standing 
and is quite inhabitable, though no one resides in it- and 
must have been a good home in those clays when that 
street was inhabited by a number of the first families of 
the parish. It is not known at present what peculiar in- 
cident, if any, gave to this part of the community the elo- 
quent name of " Puddin' street," but it certainly has had 
this honor from beyond the memory of any persons liv- 
ing. In this house Mr. Gillet probably resided but a few 
years, for the recollections of some of his children are 
connected much more with the old house now gone than 
this one north of the Meeting house. Mr. Gillet had four 
children baptized while pastor here. Timothy Phelps, 
July 23, 1780, afterwards pastor in Branford, Conn., over, 
fifty years ; Asaph, Nov. 24, 1782 ; Esther, July 17, 1785 ; 
Adah, Jan. 27, 1788. 

MR. GILLET'S SALARY. 

When Mr. Gillet settled here his salary was to be fifty 
pounds a year, for four years, and seventy-five pounds 
yearly after that. The Society was faithful to this agree- 
ment. The nominal amount varied during a very few 
years, but varied because of the diminished or increased 
price of wheat, for wheat seems to have been the standard 
of value. His salary for the first four years (^50 per year) 
was paid regularly, with one -quarter of the £17$ settle- 
ment, on the 1st of March. In 1778 they promptly voted 



52 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

him ,£75 for the ensuing year, according to agreement. 
In 1779 they voted him .£75, " to be paid in wheat, at six 
shillings a bushel." In 1780 it was £$0, "to be paid in 
wheat at four shillings a bushel." In 1781 it was the same, 
^50, "to be paid in wheat, at four shillings a bushel." 
After 178 1 it was £y$, with one exception, till he closed 
his labors here. In 1787 they paid him £75 and twenty- 
five cords of wood, and in 1788 it was ^"70 and twenty- 
five cords of wood. 

This salary, though apparently small, was larger than 
Rev. Mr. Leavenworth, Congregational minister in Water- 
bury, was receiving at the same time*. " In 1755, Mr. 
Leavenworth's salary was £6$ "proclamation money," 
or its equivalent in old tenor; in 1759, £$4; in 1761, 
£6$ ; in 1762, £82 ; in 1781, £55 ; but on account of the 
burdens of the Society and the public taxes, Mr. L. 
agreed to accept £4$. In 1782, the salary was £6$, and 
£10 in wood ; in 1791 , £jo ; but Mr. L. gave the Society 
£$ of it." 

These figures show that Mr. Gillet's salary, on an 
average, was about ten pounds a year more than Mr. 
Leavenworth's, and therefore was very honorable for a 
new society, compared with one more than ninety years 
old. From the fact that the Society voted twenty-five 
cords of wood in 1787, we infer that Mr. Gillet was then 
residing in his new house, on his own farm, and that that 
farm included no woodland ; and hence, also, that the 
farm was a small one, which we learn to have been about 
ten acres. It was in this house, probably, that the 
New Haven West Association held its first meeting. 
May 31st, 1787. t "There were present, Messrs. Lea- 
venworth, Williston, Foot, Edwards, Wales, Gillet, Da- 
vid Fuller, Fowler, Perry, and Martin Fuller. Mr. Lea- 
venworth was moderator, and Dr. Jonathan Edwards was 
scribe." 

* Branson's History of Waterbury, p. 285. 
f Kingsley's Eccl. Hist. Conn., p. 327. 



DURING MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY. 53 

The fact that this meeting was held at Mr. Gillet's 
house, indicates his interest in the neighboring ministers 
and churches ; for this being the first meeting, there 
must have been some preliminaries, and in these he must 
have taken considerable part, and hence the propriety of 
going to his house for this meeting. This was in accord- 
ance with his character, for though naturally reserved in 
his manner, he heartily gave all attention and effort to 
build up the churches and spread gospel light, and his 
home was a home of welcome to all who toiled as minis- 
ters in the Master's kingdom. 

MR. GILLET CLOSES HIS LABORS IN WOLCOTT. 

At the annual Society meeting, the 29th day of No- 
vember, 1790, it was "voted to send a committee to the 
Rev. Mr. Gillet, to discourse with him concerning the 
uneasiness there is in the Society with him as a teacher." 
The committee consisted of Mr. Jacob Carter, Captain 
Nathaniel Lewis, Deacon Peck, Capt. Samuel Upson, 
Mr. Amos Seward, Mr. Mark Harrison, Capt. Charles 
Upson, Mr. Calvin Cowles, and Mr. Jonathan Carter. 
No reasons are given as to the cause of this " uneasi- 
ness," except in the words " with him as a teacher," and 
afterwards it is said "with him as a pastor and teacher." 
This committee, doubtless, performed the work assigned 
it, and reported to the Society the information obtained, 
for from this time they held several adjourned meetings 
from week to week. On the 23d day of December, 1790, 
in a Society meeting, they "voted to have Mr. Gillet 
invited into the house." He probably came, and they 
had a conference together like brethren. About two 
weeks after this conference, the Society " voted that 
Mr. Leavenworth, Mr. Trumbull, Mr. Smalley, and Mr. 
Waterman, with their delegates, be an advisory Council 
respecting the uneasiness there is with Mr. Gillet as a 
public teacher," and that the Council meet on the "first 
Tuesday of February next, at nine o'clock in the morning, 



54 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

at the house of Samuel Byington," and that Capt. Samuel 
Upson, Jacob Carter, Lieut. Richards, Deacon Atkins, 
Capt. Charles Upson, Jonathan Carter, Mark Harrison, 
Capt. Daniel Alcox, Calvin Cowles, Simeon Plumb, and 
Dr. Potter, be a committee to attend on the Council." 
This Council met, but of its doings I find no record, 
yet from several items afterwards recorded, conclude 
that it advised against a dismissal. On the first day of 
next September, the Society "voted that all those that 
are easy with the Rev. Mr.' Gillet as a pastor and teacher 
signify the same. Yeas, 40 ; nays, 19." " Voted that 
all those that are willing the Rev. Mr. Gillet be dis- 
missed, agreeable to his request, signify the same by lift- 
ing the hand. Yeas, 20 ; nays, 29." One week from 
this meeting they "voted to call the same Council that 
were here in February last, to meet at the house of 
Samuel Byington in said Farmingbury, on the fourth 
Tuesday of October next, at nine o'clock in the morning, 
then and there to hear, advise, and determine, on matters 
of difficulty between the Rev. Mr. Gillet and his peo- 
ple." Deacon Aaron Harrison, Deacon Peck, Deacon 
Atkins, Messrs. Amos Seward, Streat Richards, Jacob 
Carter, Jonathan Carter, Capt. Samuel Upson, Capt. 
Daniel Alcox, were chosen a committee to make pro- 
visions for the Council, and to represent the Society be- 
fore them." 

DOINGS OF THE COUNCIL NOVEMBER 9, 1 79 1. 

The original copy of the proceedings of the Council is 
preserved, in Mr. Trumbull's hand- writing, and a splen- 
did hand-writing it is : 

At an Ecclesiastical Council convened by letters missive, in 
Farmingbury, at the house of the Rev. Alexander Gillet, October 
25, 1 791, the Rev. John Smalley was chosen Moderator, and Mr. 
Trumbull, Scribe. The Council, considering the importance and 
difficulty of the matters to be laid before them and their own 
thinness, not half the members being present, judge it altogether 



DURING MR. GILLETS MINISTRY. 55 

inexpedient to proceed to business ; and therefore voted that tin's 
Council be adjourned till Wednesday, the oth of November, to 
meet at Mr. Samuel Byington's at 9 o'clock in the morning. 

Farmingbury, November 9th. the Council met according to ad- 
journment, and adjourned to the Meeting house. In the recess 
of this Council the Society of Farmingbury, at the desire of Mr. 
Gillet and a number of the disaffected members, voted their will- 
ingness, that the Rev. Noah Benedict and Dr. Jonathan Edwards, 
with delegates from their respective churches, should be called to 
sit with the former Council, to advise with them relative to the 
matters of difficulty subsisting among them ; in consequence of 
which vote, and letters missive to said gentlemen, predicated 
upon it, the Rev. Mr. Benedict and Dr. Edwards. Deacon Daniel 
Sherman from the First Church in Woodbury, and Mr. Jeremiah 
Atwater from the Church in White Haven, joined the Council. 

The Council thus formed consisted of the gentleman above 
mentioned (Benedict, Edwards. Sherman and Atwater), the Rev. 
Messrs. Mark Eeavenworth, John Smalley, Simon Waterman, and 
Benjamin Trumbull, and of delegates Joseph Hopkins, Esq., 
from the church in Waterbury, Colonel Isaac Lee from the church 
in New Britain. Mr. Elijah Warner from the church in Northbury, 
and Joseph Darling, Esq., from the church in North Haven. 

The Council was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Leaven- 
worth. 

The Rev. Mr. Gillet, a committee of the Society in Farming- 
bury, and a committee of the members of said Society who were 
dissatisfied with Mr. Gillet, appeared before the Council, and after 
considerable conversation a question arose between the parties, 
whether the Society had properly submitted the matters of diffi- 
culty to the decision of the Council. Sometime was taken up in 
the discussion of that point, and the parties disagreeing on the 
subject, the Council adjourned till two o'clock, p. M. 

Met according to adjournment, and found the Society in 
regular meeting, and that the question stated above had been 
largely debated in said meeting, but without any determination. 
However, towards evening, said Society " voted that the Council 
of ministers and delegates from the several neighboring churches, 
present, be a mutual Council, to hear and determine respecting 



$6 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

any matters of difficulty between the Rev. Mr. Gillet, the said 
Society, or any disaffected persons." 

The Council adjourned to Dr. Potter's. Met according to ad- 
journment, and the parties appeared before the Council and began 
to make a statement of their difficulties. Adjourned to the Meet- 
ing house, to meet at 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. 

Farmingbury, November ioth, the Council met according to ad- 
journment. 

The Rev. Mr. Gillet delivered to the council a paper, in which 
he submitted all matters of difficulty, and declared, that if this 
Council shall judge that there is not a prospect for his future use- 
fulness and comfort in this Church and Society as their pastor, it 
is his honest wish to be liberated from their pastoral charge ; and 
they continued the hearing. 

Voted that this Council be adjourned to Deacon Harrison's. 
Met according to adjournment ; continued and finished the hear- 
ing ; in which it appeared to this Council, that though the Rev. 
Mr. Gillet has done nothing inconsistent with the Christian or min- 
isterial character, and has through a long scene of controversy 
acted with great prudence, patience, and gentleness, yet there is 
about a third of the church and Society dissatisfied with his min- 
istrations ; that this dissatisfaction appears to be of long continu- 
ance and deeply rooted ; that, therefore, on the most thorough 
consideration of the whole matter, in all its circumstances, there 
is not a prospect of his continuing in his present pastoral relation, 
with either usefulness to the cause of religion or comfort to him- 
self; that he and some individuals have settled his temporal af- 
fairs to his satisfaction ; and that if he should be advised to con- 
tinue in his present situation, his continuance would, probably, be 
but temporary, and for which he would be removed with greater 
loss of property, with greater disadvantage as to his settlement in 
the ministry, and equal if not greater disadvantage to this Society. 
For these reasons this Council think it necessary for the interests 
of religion in general, and especially in this church and Society, 
and for the usefulness and comfort of Mr. Gillet and his family, 
that he be dismissed from his pastoral relation to this church and 
Society, and accordingly he is hereby dismissed, though we feel 
very tenderly for Mr. Gillet. for his family, and for those of this 



DURING MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY. 57 

Society who wish him to be continued as their minister j yet we 
are satisfied that they are called, in Providence, to the patient ex- 
ercise of self denial in this instance ; and we wish them to rest 
assured, that we advise to this dismission of Mr. Gillet in a full 
persuasion that it is necessary for their respective interests and 
spiritual prosperity as well as for the interests of true religion in 
general. 

We take the liberty here to refer it to the consideration of this 
whole Society, whether this whole calamity has not, in a great 
measure, come upon them in consequence of the want of due 
care to supply Mr. Gillet and his family with the conveniences of 
life ; and whether if he had been duly supplied in this respect, he 
would not have been free from those cares, embarrassments and 
labors which have been inconsistent with that habitual study and 
improvement which would have rendered him more respected 
both to his own and neighboring Societies. 

With respect to Mr. Gillet, from all that has appeared concern- 
ing him in the course of the hearing, and from our acquaintance 
with him, we believe him to be a man of strict morality and sin- 
cere piety ; and of such ministerial accomplishments, natural and 
acquired, as may, if Divine Providence open the way, render him 
useful in the ministry; and as such we recommend him to all 
churches and to all Christians wherever God may cast his future 
lot. Passed unanimously in Council. 

Test. BENJAMIN TRUMBULL, Scribe. 

Thus closed on the ioth clay of November, 1 791 , the 
ministerial labors of the Rev. Alexander Gillet as an am- 
bassador of the court of heaven over this his first parish, — 
a pastorate which continued nearly eighteen years. 

The "finding" of this council is very plain and very 
suggestive. They say that "the Rev. Mr. Gillet has 
through a long scene of controversy acted with great 
prudence, patience, and gentleness ;" and as a reason for 
this they say, "that this dissatisfaction appears to be of 
long continuance and deeply rooted," and the explana- 
tion to this is, a difficulty in the church in the first year 
of Mr. Gillet's labors here, and another in 178 1, in regard 



58 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

to which the church called a Council. The first was a 
case in which the parties, a husband and wife of influen- 
tial family connections, had been prosecuted in Court for 
"scandal" and were acquitted, and soon after applied to 
be received as members of the church. This difficulty 
continued over six months, and then the whole matter was 
dropped and the persons admitted. The other case was 
concerning parties also of influence who had been before 
"Esquire Baldwin " and then came into the church, which 
was settled once by a council and came up again a year 
after, in another form, and caused considerable trouble in 
the church and community, and as a result the minister 
was thought to be prejudiced against these parties. Be- 
cause the minister valued the honor of the church he was 
censured and a prejudice was entertained against him to 
strengthen in the years to come in proportion to his faith- 
fulness to God and the church. 

From several things mentioned in the records I am 
persuaded that these were the beginning of difficulties 
that finally secured the dismissal of Mr. Gillet. But there 
were other things which would not be worthy of mention 
but for the lessons we are to learn from them ; the prin- 
cipal of which is stated thus by the Council : "We take 
the liberty here to refer it to the consideration of this 
whole Society, whether this whole calamity has not, in a 
great measure, come upon them, in consequence of the 
want of due care to supply Mr. Gillet and his family with 
the conveniences of life ;" and the supplying of which 
would have saved him from embarrassment and made 
him "more respected, both to his own and neighboring 
Societies." The secret is this : Mr. Gillet received his 
salary at the end of the year, only, according to agree- 
ment, and that on the first of March, and seldom re- 
ceived it promptly at that time. In 1787 he sent word 
to the parish meeting that if he could have his money at 
the first of May, he would give five pounds for twenty- 
five cords of wood, and accept sixty pounds in place of 



DURING MR. GILLET'S MINISTRY. 59 

the seventy due him. In one case, at the annual meeting, 
he had not received his money, due nearly a year. 

These are the things that made trouble in the home 
of the minister, and because of which we are told Mr. Gil- 
let was not respected as he would have been, although 
he was not in fault. These things are suggestive and we 
leave them. 

The last entries made by Mr. Gillet, in the church 
book were, " A marriage, Thanksgiving day, November 
24, 1791 ; a baptism of a child, November 27, 1791, and 
the death of James Bailey, December 8, 1791. 

His house and farm he sold to some individuals, who 
transferred it afterwards to the Society, it being valued 
at ^250, and the Society gave two hundred pounds of it 
to Mr. Woodward, as we shall see, as his " settlement " in 
the parish. 

Mr. Gillet was settled in Torrington, Conn., May, 1792, 
where he labored as pastor thirty-four years, till his 
death. 



CHAPTER V. 

REV. MR. WOODWARD'S MINISTRY: FROM 1792 TO l8lO. 

Mr. Woodward began to preach for this Society as a 
candidate about the first of February, 1792, — that is, 
two months and a half after Mr. Gillet left. On the 13th 
of February the Society voted : " That we would wish to 
continue Mr. Woodward with us as a preacher till the 
first of May next," which would, probably, make three 
months' service. This was the only business done at this 
meeting, and it then adjourned until the first Monday in 
April. Hence it is probable that the meeting was called 
for this one purpose, and that it was held soon after his 
first service among them. 

When they met, according to adjournment, they voted, 
"That we are agreed in Mr. Woodward as a preacher; 
that we are desirous to continue Mr. Woodward with us 
as our minister;" also, "That we will give Mr. Wood- 
ward ;£8o salary and twenty-five cords of wood, yearly. 
Yeas 48, nays 7." Having passed these votes, the meet- 
ing adjourned for three or four days, then met and voted 
"That Capt. Walter Beecher, Dr. John Potter, Lieut. 
Joseph Beecher, Daniel Byington, Capt. Charles Upson, 
Capt. Isaac Hopkins, Mr. Simeon Plumb, and Jeremiah 
Scarritt be a committee to circulate the subscription pa- 
per in each school district for the purpose of raising a 
sum for Mr. Woodward's settlement." This meeting was 
adjourned from Friday to the next Tuesday, when they 
voted "to give Mr. Israel B. Woodward two hundred 
pounds as a settlement, as subscribed, to be paid accord- 
ing to the subscription," and appointed as a committee 



REV. MR. WOODWARD'S MINISTRY. 6 1 

Deacon Atkins, Capt. Samuel Upson, Capt. Charles Up- 
son, Mr. Jacob Carter, and Capt. Daniel Alcox, to wait 
on Mr. Woodward and inform him what the meeting had 
done. The meeting adjourned to the " last Monday of 
inst. April," and then appointed a committee to receive 
Mr. Woodward's answer, after which it adjourned to the 
"second Monday of May next, at three o'clock in the 
afternoon." 

When they met, according to adjournment, they voted 
" to give Mr. I. B. Woodward two hundred pounds, we 
heretofore voted as a settlement, out of the late farm of 
the Rev. Mr. Gillet, estimated at two hundred and fifty 
pounds." They then appointed a committee "to wait 
on Mr. Woodward to the meeting." At this meeting the 
whole matter of settlement was arranged, and they ap- 
pointed a committee to complete the work, as follows : 
" Voted that Capt. Samuel Upson, Capt. Charles Upson, 
Mr. Amos Seward, Mr. David Norton, Lieut. Joseph 
Beecher, Mr. Jonathan Carter, Mark Harrison, Esquire, 
Dr. John Potter, Deacon Joseph Atkins, be a commit- 
tee to agree with Mr. Woodward on the time of the 
ordination, and on the ordaining council, and to attend 
said business till the ordination is over." 

Mr. Woodward's letter of acceptance is still preserved 
in his own hand-writing, and is as follows : 

May 14, 1792. 

To the Church of Christ, and to the inhabitants of the Society of Farming- 
bury : 

Having some time since received from you a unanimous invi- 
tation to be your minister in the gospel of Christ, I have, as I 
hope, most seriously considered the subject, and asked of my 
God, in a matter of so great importance, that wisdom which is 
profitable to direct ; and after soberly viewing the circumstances 
which the subject involves, I have though it my duty, should the 
unanimity heretofore expressed in the Society be continued, to 
accept of your proposals, and submit myself to the doings of an 



62 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

ordaining council, hoping that it may issue in the salvation of 
those that are lost; in building up the Redeemer's kingdom on 
earth, and in displaying the nature and glorious perfections of 
God; and wishing that grace, mercy, and peace may be multi- 
plied among you through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 
I subscribe myself your brother in the Christian faith. 

ISRAEL BARD WOODWARD. 

Near the end of May, 1792, the Society met and voted 
that " Mr. Woodward's salary should become due on the 
1st day of March annually," also that Mr. Richard F. 
Welton, Wm. Stevens, Dr. John Potter, Aaron Harrison, 
Capt. Daniel Alcox, Selah Steadman, Nathan Gillet, 
Simeon Hopkins, and Joseph Miner be desired to make 
preparation to entertain the people on ordination day. 
No records of the installation have been preserved ; but 
we infer from these votes that some time in June, 1792, 
Mr. Woodward was ordained as pastor of this church 
and Society. On the fourth Tuesday of June the So- 
ciety made further provision for Mr. Woodward. Cer- 
tain persons had purchased Mr. Gillet's farm, apparently 
as a favor to Mr. Gillet. The Society at this meeting 
assumed the obligations of these persons, relieving them 
from further responsibility to Mr. Gillet, and ordered the 
treasurer to pay to Mr. Gillet the several sums collected on 
Mr. Woodward's settlement. The amount of the settle- 
ment was two hundred pounds ; the farm was estimated 
at two hundred and fifty pounds. Hence they "voted 
that the above said committee be empowered to put the 
Rev. Mr. Woodward into possession of said farm, taking 
surety of him for the fifty pounds overplus of said two hun- 
dred pounds settlement agreeably to an agreement now in 
the hands of Judge Hopkins." It is reported that the So- 
ciety lost the whole value of this farm, which must be a 
mistake. They may never have received the fifty pounds 
" overplus " but anything more they could not have lost. 
Mr. Woodward resided on this farm until 1799, when he 



rev. MR. woodward's ministry. 63 

sold it to Charles Upson, Esq., and purchased the house 
east of the Meeting house where he resided until his 
death. This house is now owned by Mr. Ephraim Hall 
and his grandson, Charles Hall, and is the finest looking 
residence at Wolcott Center. 

Mr. Woodward was not married when he settled here. 
He afterward married the daughter of Rev. Dr. Smalley, 
of New Britain, now Berlin, but died childless. After his 
death his widow received from her father a house in East 
Haven, where she resided many years. She is spoken of 
as "a very fine woman," of a cheerful temperament, and 
fond of society. It is said that she was often present 
with her husband at public balls, given at the Hotel, and 
that she sometimes took part in the dance. Her husband 
never danced, but engaged in the social chat with much 
animation. 

When Mr. Woodward settled here, Farmingbury was a 
flourishing parish, a " wide awake" community with con- 
siderable enterprise and business energy. In those days 
the present park in the city of Waterbury was a swamp, 
and Wolcott was a business centre with several stores 
and other enterprises which attracted visitors and drew 
trade from the vicinity for many miles around. The 
Church was really ;i strong one ; it had in its member- 
ship men of talent and men of means. .Several of these 
subscribed toward Mr. Woodward*'s settlement twenty- 
five dollars or more, and paid their yearly tax towards 
his salary, besides. This "settlement" was raised by 
subscription ; the salary was paid by tax. There seems 
to have been considerable opposition to this method of 
raising the salary ; so that, when Mr. Gillet closed his 
labors, the Society voted "that we are willing that those 
who find themselves willing, may have preaching by sub- 
scription for three months." But they were compelled 
to return to the tax rate in order to fulfil their engage- 
ment with Mr. Woodward. 

The two hundred pound settlement was paid in three 



6 4 



HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 



installments, or in three yearly parts. This subscription 
was copied into the Treasurer's Book by Mark Harrison, 
Esq., who was Treasurer in 1794: 

The several subscriptions for Mr. Woodward's settlement are 
as follows : 
Nov. 5, 1794. 





£ s. 


d 




£ s. 


d 


Joseph M. Parker, 


1 





Moses Todd, 


1 





Zephana Parker, 


1 10 





Jesse Alcox, 


1 





Isaac Upson, 


4 9 





Aaron Harrison, 


2 





Joseph Minor, 


4 2 





Elijah Lane, 


15 





Nathaniel Lewis, 


6 





Ezekiel Upson, 


1 10 





Samuel Upson, 


6 18 





Richard Welton, 


1 





Obed Upson, 


1 





Nathaniel Lane, 


1 





Jacob Carter, 


4 6 





Calvin Cowles, 


3 





Wait Hotchkiss, 


1 


7 


Amos Seward, 


3 12 





Solomon Alcox, 


1 10 





David Norton, 


1 11 





Heman Hall, 


2 12 





Thomas Upson, 


8 12 





Asahel Lane, 


1 4 





John Kenea, 


10 





David Alcox, 


2 





Isaac Hopkins, 


3 1 





Mark Barnes, 


1 12 


11 


Joseph Smith, 


1 





Nathan Barnes, 


1 5 





Abel Curtiss, 


2 15 





David Norton, Jr., 


1 





David Harrison, 


1 





Jesse Selkrigg, 


1 





Benoni Gillet, 
Samuel Byington, y 


1 10 





Charles Frisbie, 


2 12 





5 10 





Daniel Byington, 


4 q 





James Bailey, 


3 6 





Joseph Beecher, 


4 





Joseph Beecher, Jr., 


1 10 





Judah Frisbie, 


2 12 





Brainard Lindsley, 


1 





Elnathan Thrasher, 


1 10 





Ezra Stevens, 


1 





Farrington Barnes, 


© 15 





John Alcox, 


2 





Stephen Carter, 


3 10 





Amos Beecher, 


10 





Daniel Alcox, 


1 10 





James Thomas, 


4 10 





Ephraim Smith, Jr., 


4 





Aaron Harrison, Jr., 


iS 





Streat Richards, 


7 





Benjamin Alcox, 


1 





Moses Pond, 


1 10 





Jonah Barnes, 


15 





John Bronson, 


4 





Joseph Freeman, 


18 





Mark Harrison, 


6 12 





Jeremiah Scarritt, 


2 10 





Charles Upson, 


13 10 





Ezra Mallery, 


1 





Simeon Plumb, 


2 10 





Timothy Bradley, 


1 5 





Samuel Plumb, 


1 





Asahel Bradley, 


1 





Solomon Plumb, 


1 5 





Amasa Bradley, 


1 





Justus Peck, 


2 


6 


William Stevens, 


1 6 





Ashbel Upson, 


2 5 





Caleb Miner, 


1 





John Beecher, 


2 





Heman Byington, 


1 






REV. MR. WOODWARD'S MINISTRY. 


65 




£ s. 


d 




£ s. .1 


Joseph Sutlift", jr., 


2 O 





Eli Roberts, 


100 


Noah Neal, 


i iS 





Aliram Norton, 


2 (> 


John B. Alcox, 


I o 





Joseph Atkins, 


1 10 


Joseph Twitchel, 


3 o 





O/.ias Norton, 


1 S 


James Alcox, 


3 I2 





Jesse Alcox, jr., 


iS 


Selah Steadman, 


I o 





Hezekiah Beeeher, 


18 


Jonathan Carter, 


4 IS 





Noah W. Norton, 


or 18 


Daniel Johnson, jr., 


o IS 





Nathan Scarritt, 


100 


Nathan Gillet, 


I o 





Elisha Morton, 


018 


John Norton, 


i i5 





John Wiard, 


060 


Walter Beeeher, 


4 





Ebenezer Bailey, 


060 


Barnabas Powers, 


1 





Jerry Moulthrop, 


12 


Levi Johnson, 


18 





Enos Dutton, 


iS 


John Talmage, 


1 





James Scarritt. 


1 


John Frisbie, 


1 19 





Luther Atkins, 


18 


Daniel Dean, 


15 





Nathan Stevens, 


200 


John Potter, 


6 10 





Ebenezer Johnson, 


100 



By this list it may be seen that most of these men, 
if not all, subscribed liberally. They paid Mr. Woodward 
400 dollars salary and twenty-five cords of wood, and 
gave him in addition this iooo dollars settlement. To 
make up this settlement several persons gave twenty 
dollars, others thirty, and one — Mr. Charles Upson — six- 
ty-five ; while some of those who gave smaller sums, 
doubtless gave more in proportion to their ability than 
the more wealthy. This subscription list is highly cred- 
itable to the community in which it originated ; it shows 
the effort they made to sustain the institutions of the 
Gospel. But those were the days of strength in Wol- 
cott ; for from 1790 to 1820 the town was at the height 
of its prosperity, as regards wealth and population. 
At the time of Mr. Woodward's settlement the num- 
ber of inhabitants was about 900. In 1800 it was 948 ; 
in 1810, 952; in 1820, 943; in 1830, 844; in 1840, 
633 ; in 1850, 603. The church membership, when Mr. 
Woodward began his ministry, numbered about ioo, 
and the congregation from 300 to 500, which must have 
filled the Meeting house. That the congregation was 
large may be inferred from the apparent difficulty the 
6 



66 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

committee had in "seating the Meetinghouse." Be- 
sides, Mr. Woodward's preaching was calculated to at- 
tract the attention of the multitude more than Mr. Gil- 
let's because of the apt and animating illustrations 
which he habitually introduced. The increasing esteem 
in which he was held is indicated by the three annual 
subscriptions which were raised for paying the settle- 
ment. The first amounted to sixty-three pounds, the 
second to sixty-seven, the third to nearly one hundred 
pounds, or almost thirty pounds more than the two hun- 
dred pounds first agreed upon. 

Under Mr. Woodward's labors the membership of the 
church increased somewhat ; how much, we are unable 
to say, because there is no record to be found of those 
who united with the church from 1798 to 18 n. In a 
list of members prepared by Mr. Keys in 181 5, there 
are over forty names of persons of whose uniting with 
the church we have no record, but who must have be- 
come members during these twelve years.* 

Mr. Woodward was more than ordinarily successful as 
a preacher, and was highly esteemed as a neighbor and 
citizen. He was easy and friendly in his manners, 
ever read}- with some pleasant remark, and was therefore 
liked by all classes. Probably no minister in the parish 
was ever loved and confided in as a minister more than 
he, for to this day the remark of the people, as to all 
they ever heard of him, is in the highest tone of Chris- 
tian love. 

*A like difficulty is experienced in regard to baptisms. Deacon Isaac 
Bronson was appointed in iSn.to keep the church records, and he says: 
" Here seems to be a long chasm (from 1792 to 1811) as to the record of 
baptisms, but no further papers have as yet come to hand. I therefore be- 
gin at the time I received the papers." If Isaac Bronson could find " no 
further papers " sixty years ago, I may properly cease the search now. Yet 
it seems a little singular that Mr. Woodward should keep the record of ad- 
ditions to the church, and of marriages, from 1792 to 179S, and then con- 
tinue the record of deaths as he did, to 1809 (a short time before his death) 
and omit the two former. 



REV. MR. WOODWARD'S MINISTRY. 67 

He h;ui a school for several wars that was very popu- 
lar with young men. He usually had from four to six- 
scholars boarding with him, and others came to recite. 
Benoni Upson, son of Thomas and brother of Charles 
Upson, fitted for college at this school. He resided about 
half a mile from Mr. Woodward's. Mr. Woodward had 
students from New Haven, from Waterbury and other 
neighboring places, and also from the Southern States. 

The efforts of the parish to promote education were 
quite commendable for those times. In November after 
Mr. Woodward's settlement the Society voted that "we 
will keep eleven months school," and this length of term 
does not appear to have been an unusual thing. It is 
probable that Mr. Woodward was induced to commence 
his school, because of the large number of young men in 
the community needing opportunities of more advanced 
culture than the common schools afforded. 

Immediately after the success of the subscription to 
pay Mr. Woodward's settlement, the people proceeded to 
complete the inside of the Meetinghouse. 

At a meeting held on the first day of December, 1794, 
the} - voted first, "that we will do something to the 
Meeting house." Then they " voted that the Meeting 
house be finished in the following order, viz. : First, that 
the roof be shingled with pine, and the siding with white- 
wood. 2"clly. that the body of the house be painted white 
and the roof red. y-tty, that the inside of the said house 
above and below be decently and properly finished, 
lathed, and plastered, and timbers capped ; a row of pews 
built in the back part of each of the galleries, raised to a 
proper pitch to overlook the seats in front of said pews. 
Voted that the above described work be done and com- 
pleted by the first day of November next, and that a com- 
mittee be appointed to cause the house to be repaired as 
is above written or described, at their own discretion ; and 
further, the said committee are to sell or dispose of any 
boards, shingles, or nails thaf may be taken off or out of 



68 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

the said house, for the benefit of the Society, or appro- 
priate them for any use for which they may be proper in 
repairing said house as above ; and further that the said 
committee exhibit a true and just account of all the ex- 
penses that shall arise in so doing, before the annual So- 
ciety meeting in November next. Voted that Capt. Na- 
thaniel Lewis, Jacob Carter and Capt. Charles Upson be 
a committee for the above purpose. Voted to lay a rate 
three pence on the pound on the list of 1794 to be paid the 
first of June next. Voted a tax on said list of three pence 
on the pound to be paid in cattle and sheep' 55 ' the first of 
November next. Voted that John Beecher and Judah 
Frisbie be collectors to collect the above rates." In a 
meeting held in the last part of January next they added 
one penny to each of these taxes making them each four 
pence on the pound. At a meeting held on the 5th of 
next February they voted " that we are willing that 
there should be a steeple erected adjoining this house, at 
the expense of individuals ; and that the overplus, if 
there be any, of the rates laid to do the Meeting house 
be laid out on the steeple." The steeple was not built 
at this time, but the rest of the work proposed was com- 
pleted before July of 1795 and then for the first time Far- 
mingbury had a finished Meeting house. There is one item 
we mention and leave the reader to interpret, for he will 
probably know as much about it as any one. In the 
Treasurer's book for 1797 we find the following record : 
"Capt. Walter Beecher debtor to an order on the Treas- 
urer for one dollar. Contra, credit by making three pair 
of butterflies for the Meeting house." It is thought 
these were ornaments about the sounding board over the 
pulpit. 

There were, probably, some services .dedicatory of this 
house in the summer of 1795, but I have seen no record 

* There was a ready market for these cattle and sheep at the Center. The 
hides were made into leather in Wolcott, and the beef was packed in bar- 
rels for foreign markets. 



REV. MR. WOODWARD'S MINISTRY. 69 

of them in the books. There is a hymn printed and 
preserved, said to have been composed by Mr. David Har- 
rison especially for this dedication.* 

" DEDICATORY POEM. 

With joyful heart and tuneful song, 

Let us approach the mighty Lord, 
Proclaim his honors with our tongue, 

And sound his wondrous truth abroad. 

His glorious name on golden lyres, 

Strike all the tuneful choirs above, 
And boundless nature's realms conspire 

To celebrate his matchless love. 

The heaven of heavens is his bright throne, 

And cherubs wait his high behest, 
Yet for the merits of his Son, 

He visits men in humble dust. 

In temples sacred to his name 

His saints assemble round his board, 
Raise their hosannas to the Lamb, 

And taste the supper of the Lord. 

O God our King, this joyful day, 

We dedicate this house to thee ; 
Here would we meet to sing and pray, 

And learn how sweet thy dwellings be. 

O King of saints, O triune God, 

Bow the high heavens and lend thine ear; 

O make this house thy fixed abode, 
And let the heavenly dove rest here. 

Within these walls may Jesus' charms 

Allure ten thousand souls to love, 
And all supported by his arms, 

Shine forth in realms of bliss above. 

There saints of every tribe and tongue 

Shall join the armies of the Lamb ; 
Hymn hallelujahs to the Son, 

The Spirit, anil the great I AM. 

*A copy of this poem is now in the possession of Mrs. Mark Tuttle. 



JQ HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Their songs seraphic shall they raise, 
And Gabriel's lyre the notes resound ; 

Heaven's full toned organ join the praise, 
And world to world repeat the sound. 

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 

Be ceaseless praise and glory given, 

By all the high angelic host, 

By all on earth and all in heaven. 

Hallelujah ! Amen." 

This hymn, sung by the large number of trained sing- 
ers then in the community, must have given a sense of 
gratitude and joy worthy of the occasion. That they 
were trained singers is abundantly evident from the sing- 
ing talent here, and the money they had spent in years 
past, and were spending for the "improvement of sing- 
ing." In the last of November, 1793, the Society ap- 
pointed " Joseph Minor, Lieut. James Bailey, Moses Pond, 
Isaac Upson, Enos Dutton, Joseph Beecher, Jr., Asahel 
Lane, Joseph M. Parker, a committee to circulate a sub- 
scription for singing, and procure a teacher according to 
the subscriptions they shall get." 

In November, 1794, they appointed another committee : 
" Voted that we will do something to encourage singing. 
Voted that Dr. John Potter, Ensign Joseph Beecher, Capt. 
Charles Upson, Isaac Upson, Ensign Jonathan Carter, 
James Scarritt, Isaac Hopkins, Jr., Lieut. James Bailey, 
Nathan Barnes, Asahel Lane, and John Hitchcock, be a 
committee to get subscriptions to hire a singing master." 

These committees were composed of substantial men, 
and the singing school was not to be a young people's 
pleasure meeting, but a school of thorough training in 
singing. And this old practice of "doing something to 
encourage singing" was continued for many years after 
the dedication of the church. In 1797, they "voted that 
we lay a rate of three mills on the dollar on the last 
August list, payable the first of March next, to be laid 
out to hire and pay some man to teach and instruct in 



REV. MR. WOODWARDS MINISTRY. J\ 

singing ; that Dr. John Potter, Moses Todd. Mark Harri- 
son, Esq., Capt. Streat Richards, Joseph Minor, Joseph 
M. Parker, and Preserve Carter, be a committee to pro- 
cure a teacher in singing, ami to see to the laying out the 
above rate." 

With this spirit of industry and improvement in the 
minds of the people, success and prosperity came to their 
hands and homes from every direction. They had peti- 
tioned for some years for "Town privileges," and in the 
spring of 1796, the parish was incorporated as a town, 
and the effect was to relieve the Society of various cares 
and responsibilities, and encourage them in all good 
things.* 

In November, 1800, Air. Woodward sent a communi- 
cation to the annual meeting which caused the following 
vote, and which is explained only in a vote taken a year 
after: " Voted that a committee be appointed to treat 
with Mr. Woodward on the subject of the communication 



*At this place in the Society's history J must take leave of an acquaint- 
ance whn at first sight and introduction, gave me considerable trouble and 
misunderstanding, but to whom, after .six months' acquaintance, I am quite 
reluctant to say "good-by," for lie has been of great service to me. Be- 
sides, when we are well acquainted with tried friends, we may well hesitate 
to change them for strangers, though the strangers may be clothed in exqui- 
site style and beauty. For twenty-nine years the records of the Society 
were written by Daniel Byington — the first year by Daniel Byington, Sen., 
the other twenty-eight by Daniel, jr. In 1790 Isaac Bronson was elected 
Society Clerk, and to his most elegant writing 1 now come, ami in so lining 
must leave the le^s elegant ' hand " of Daniel. Apart from a little 
formality in the introduction of transactions, Mr. Byington was very 
nearly a model in the use of concise and appropriate terms, and of fidelity 
and honor in the office he held. It is, therefore, with great pleasure 
that T record my high appreciation of Daniel Byington, jr., as clerk of the 
Society of Farmingbury, whose writings I h tve consulted daily for much of 
the time for three months past, until I had become familiar with every turn 
of his pen, ami e\ :n form of expression ; and until it seem -1 in me as a 
communion of spirits, in which friend Daniel was helping me on in giving 
to the world a picture of twenty-nine years of Society life in Farmingbury. 
Good-by, Daniel, till I am introduced to you "on the other side of the 
veil." 



J2 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

by him made to this meeting, and that said committee 
report to this meeting at their adjournment." No report 
of the committee is recorded, and the matter went over 
till December 7th, 1801, when it was voted "that Charles 
Upson, Esq., Deacon Joseph Atkins, Mark Harrison, 
Esq., Major Streat Richards, and Isaac Bronson, be a com- 
mittee to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Woodward and inform 
him that the Society, for various reasons, wish not to act 
upon the proposition by him made as to a dismission, par- 
ticularly, as they are well pleased with his performance 
as their minister, and are by no means willing for a dis- 
solution of the pastoral connection between him and 
them." This action is all that is recorded concern- 
ing this matter, unless it be a resolution passed soon 
after by the Society in regard to the payment of Mr. 
Woodward's salary when it should become due. The 
unusual rigor of this action may give us a suggestion 
of the reason why he desired a dismission, — namely, 
because the Society was so slow in paying his salary, 
even after waiting a year for it to become due. The 
first action reads thus: "Voted that if the Rev. Mr. 
Woodward's salary be not paid by the first day of March, 
annually, or any part of the same, such salary, or such 
part of it as is not paid, shall be upon interest until paid." 
But this, after three years' trial, did not remedy the diffi- 
culty as desired, and hence the second vote : " That exe- 
cution be taken out against the Society collector at the 
end of ninety days next coming after the first day of 
March, yearly, "and put into the officer's hands by the So- 
ciety's Committee, unless said collector shall have paid 
the Rev. Mr. Woodward's salary in full by that time." 
After this it may be supposed that either- the collectors 
or parishioners recognized the fact that a minister had 
a right to, his salary after having earned it. It is proper 
to state here that the Treasurer's book shows that Mr. 
Woodward received part of his salary from time to time 
during the year. He received money (a very little), orders, 



REV. MR. WOODWARD'S MINISTRY. 73 

notes, wheat, and other items, as individuals felt disposed 
to let him have, or to sell to him, but much of it went over 
from month to month after the end of the year, until be- 
ing weary with delay he proposed to find another parish, 
or other work. 

It may be thought that it must have been difficult to 
obtain a collector after a vote to "take out execution" 
against him but it was not. The first man elected after 
the above rule was passed was Selah Upson, and it is a 
singular incident that the assessment which he was to 
collect, with the order from the justice of the peace to 
collect it, have come into my hands just in time for in- 
sertion here : 



To Selah Upson, Collector of the Society Rate in tJie Society of Farmingbury, 
in Wolcott, in New Haven Count]', Greeting : 

By authority of the State of Connecticut, you are hereby com- 
manded forthwith to levy and collect of the persons named in the 
annexed list herewith committed to you, each one in several pro- 
portion as therein set down of the sum total of such list, being a 
tax or assessment granted or agreed upon by the inhabitants of 
said Society of Farmingbury, regularly assembled on the 27th day 
of October, 1805, for defraying the ministerial and other charges 
arising within the same, and to deliver and pay the sum and 
sums which you shall so lay and collect, unto the Treasurer of the 
said Society, at or before the first day of March, 1806, and if any 
person or persons shall neglect or refuse to make payment of the 
sum or sums whereat he or they are respectively assessed and set 
in the above list, to distrain the goods or chattels of such person 
or persons, and the same dispose of as the law directs, returning 
the overplus (if any be) unto the owner or owners ; and for want 
of goods and chattels whereon to make distraint, you are to take 
the body or bodies of the person or persons so refusing, and him 
or them commit unto the keeper of the gaol of the said county 
within the said prison, who is hereby commanded to receive and 
safely keep him or them until he or they pay and satisfy the said 
sum or sums assessed upon him or them as aforesaid, together 



74 



HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 



with your fees; unless the said assessment, or any part thereof, 
upon application made to the County Court, shall be abated. 

Dated at Wolcott, this 28th day of February, 1806. 

ISAAC BRONSON, Just. Peace. 



John Alcox, 


$1.00 


Benham & Tuttle, 


$3.07 


Jesse Alcox, 


2.31 


Samuel Benham 


25 


James Alcox, jr., 


1.94 


Estate of Joseph Beach, 


1.97 


Mark Alcox, 


77 


Hannah Beach, 


33 


David Alcox, 


2.0S 


Asa Barnes, 


15 


Solomon Alcox, 


349 


Bezaleel Bowen 


02 


Obed Alcox, 


34 


Solomon Barnes, 


07 


Jesse Alcox, jr., 


2.52 


Stephen Barnes, 


08 


John B. Alcox, 


2.95 


Levi Brown, 


37 


Joel Alcox, 


2.30 


Estate Lois Blakeslee, 


17 


David Alcox, jr., 


1.00 


Jared Burr, 


94 


Eldad Alcox, 


1. 00 


Abel Curtiss, 


3-41 


Elisha Adams, 


2.01 


John Cooper, 


07 


Joseph Alcox, 


32 


Jacob Carter, 


5-93 


Edmund Bradley, 


2.22 


Stephen Carter, 


4-44 


Zebulon Byihgton, 


20 


Preserve Carter, 


3-23 


Daniel Byington, 


3-23 


Elihu Carter, 


52 


Joseph Beecher, 


2.25 


Stephen Carter, jr., 


1.28 


John Beecher, 


4.04 


John & Dan Carter, 


1.26 


Hezekiah Beecher, 


3-3S 


Ashbel Cowles, 


45 


Hezekiah Beecher, Woodbi 


:idge, 84 


James Cowles, 


i-75 


Sylvester Beecher, 


54 


Hope Co"bb, 


07 


James Bailey, 


3-36 


Allen Clark, 


33 


David Bailey, 


39 


Phineas Castle, 


21 


Glover Ball, 


3-4* 


Phineas Deming, 


i.95 


Timothy Bradley, 


1.20 


Isaac Downs, 


3-55 


Amasa Bradley, 


2.32 


Prince Duplax, 


1.30 


Moses Byington, 


1.69 


Jesse Dutton, 


77 


Daniel Byington, jr.. 


1-34 


Ezra Doolittle, 


17 


Farrington Barnes, 


2.33 


Jiulah Frisbie, 


343 


Mark Barnes, 


3-29 


John Frisbie 


4.27 


John Bronson, 


3.00 


Lydia Frisbie, 


1. 14 


John Bronson, jr., 


45 


Ransom Frisbie, 


7i 


Hannah Bronson, 


2S 


David Frisbie, 


52 


Isaac Bronson, 


87 


Reuben Frisbie, 


08 


Osee Bartholomew, 


4-51 


Daniel Frisbie, 


44 


James Bartholomew, 


2.16 


Sarah Granniss, 


i-75 


Heirs of Sam'l Bartholomew, 2.73 


Heirs of Irujah Granniss, 


23 


Marvin Beckwith, 


66 


Stephen Granniss, 


19 



REV. MR. WOODWARD'S MINISTRY. 



75 



Joseph Holt, 


$2.34 


Hotchkiss & Upson, 


2,15 


Asaph Hotchkiss, 


2.07 


Timothy Hotchkiss, 


2.27 


Titus I [otchkiss, 


4.89 


Abner Hotchkiss, 


2.23 


Mary Hotchkiss, 


1.42 


Luther Hotchkiss, 


29 


Miles Hotchkiss, 


1.79 


Mark Harrison, 


5-74 


David Harrison, 


3-94 


Rollin Harrison, 


32 


Leonard Harrison, 


65 


Isaac Hopkins, 


3.18 


Estate of Isaac Hopkins, 


i-54 


Harvey Hopkins, 


39 


Mill\- 1 lopkins, 


95 


Elisha Morton, 


2.62 


Samuel Horton, 


S5 


Heman Hall, 


1. 19 


Levi Hall, 


1.84 


Lyman Hotchkiss and Nathan 


Andrews, 


28 


Uriel Holmes, jr., and Ephrai 


in 


Root, 


70 


William Robinson and Isaac 


Upson, 


2.00 


Estate of Enos Hotchkiss, 


25 


Abigail Hull, 


73 


John I [itchcock, 


2-54 


1 >.i\ id I [itchcock, 


4i 


Abel Ives, 


1.47 


Ebenezer Johnson, 


39 


Levi Johnson, 


1.40 


John J. Kenea, 


1.20 


Nathan Lewis, 


4-41 


Job Lewis, 


09 


Timothy Lewis, 


22 


Lemuel Lewis, 


66 


Jesse Lewis, 


08 


Nathaniel Lewis, 


7.96 


Reuben Lewis, 


I.65 


Royce Lewis. 


1.38 


Nathaniel Lane, 


30 


Josiah Lane, 


5i 


Lud Lindsley, 


3-oi 



Lewis Loveland, $1.88 

Elijah Lane, 09 

Laura Lane, 14 

Joseph Miner, 5.05 

Archibald Miner, 20 

Ichabod Merrills, 1.73 

Caleb Merrills, 27 

Amasa Mix, 28 

Samuel Munson, 04 

Elihu Moulthrop, 20 

Susanna Norton, 37 

Ozias Norton, 1.34 

John Norton, 5.03 

Ziba Norton, [.40 

Rhoda Norton, 14 

David Pardee, 2.32 

Samuel Porter, 1.34 

John Potter, 4.07 

Joseph M. Parker, 2.75 

Zephana Parker, 1.67 

Amos Parsons, 1-99 

Justus Peck, 3-62 

Simeon Plumb, 2.42 

Gamaliel Plumb, 61 

Samuel Plumb, 55 

Joseph Plumb, 1.68 

Amariah Plumb, 14 

Marcus Potter. 1-4° 

Asahel Peck, 02 

St real Richards, 4.04 

Elijah Royce, I.36 

Elijah Rowe, r.12 

Lydia Rogers, 28 

William Robinson, 1-74 

Jeremiah. Scarritt, 94 

fames Scarritt, 2.48 

David Scarritt, 25 

Joseph Smith's Estate, 29 

Joseph Sutliff, 63 

Titus Sutliff, 1.29 

John Sutliff, 1.25 

Jesse Selkriggs, 42 

Ephraim Smith, 1.30 

Timothy So il 1. i') 

Tinman Sandford, 15 

Jan 'I Smith, r.20 



y6 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 



James Smith, 


$O.I2 


Manley Upson, 


$2.48 


James Stone, 


TO 


Charles Upson, 


8.06 


Lucius Tuttle, 


1.97 


Washington Upson 


T.14 


Ichabod Talmage, 


1.28 


Lee Upson, 


81 


Jacob Talmage, 


2.29 


Gates Upson, 


32 


Josiah Thomas, 


2.60 


Benoni Upson, 


52 


John Thomas, 


I.50 


Ashbel Upson, 


2.67 


Seth Thomas, 


1-43 


Selah Upson, 


i-55 


Joseph Twitchel, 


T.40 


Jesse Upson, 


3-50 


Samuel Upson, 


2.25 


Freeman Upson, 


37 


Isaac Upson, 


5-°4 


Amos Upson, 


07 


Harvey Upson, 


373 


Ephraim Winstone, 


1.S2 


I. Upson and H. Townsend, 


26 


David Wakelee, 


4.07 


Obed Upson, 


1.80 


Silas Weed, 


1.72 


Samuel Upson, jr., 


2.26 







Aside from this one item, there seems to have been no 
"uneasiness" but great satisfaction with Mr. Woodward 
in the parish and in his own mind as to the parish ; and 
with his school in a good degree of prosperity, he might 
well feel assured of filling an important position in his 
Lord's vineyard. For the last ten years- of his ministry 
the Meeting house was so filled with, hearers that there 
were extra committees appointed from year to year to 
seat the people and to provide seats for those who should 
become regular attendants. 

It is painful to record the sudden close of such a ministe- 
rial service. In the Autumn of 18 10, there prevailed 
somewhat, a peculiar and very fatal fever called typhoid. 
It was also called " the great fever." With this Mr. 
Woodward died after a sickness of but a few days.* In 

*In the summer of 1810, the typhoid fever appeared in the family of Mark 
Harrison, Esq. Rev. Mr. Woodward attended this family and others in 
their sickness, as pastor and neighbor, and rendered great comfort in this time 
of fear and dread, for it is said to have been very difficult to get help to 
take care of the sick. Mr. Harrison's son Rollin died July 22d ; his wife, 
Rebecca Miles Harrison, died August 20th ; his son Michael died in New 
Haven, two days after his mother, he having been home and taken the fe- 
ver. Reuben Beebe, son-in-law of Mr. Harrison, died in Waterbury, Sept. 
26th, of the same fever, having taken it in rendering help to the sick in 
Wolcott. Several others died in Wolcott besides Mr. Woodward and mem- 
bers of Mr. Harrison's family. 



REV. MR/WOODWARDS .MINISTRY. J J 

the grave yard at Wolcott Center, stands a stone, on 
which is written not without ornament, 



iHemorn of 
Rev. ISRAEL B. WOODWARD, 

WHO DIED 

Nov. 17, 1810, /£. 43. 

It is a singular fact that this grave is made directly 
and wholly across the walk or space between the two 
rows of graves adjoining ; as though, when dead, this 
remarkably good man's body must lie in the path where 
men walk, to arrest their attention and preach to them 
still. 

He had served this people for eighteen years, preach - 
ing more than a thousand sermons ; he had welcomed to 
church membership about one hundred persons, many of 
whom were noble men in the church long after their lead- 
er left the toils of earth, and most of whom we doubt not 
have joined him again beyond the flood, where snows of 
winter, heat of summer, and the sorrows of earth will 
never come. It seems sad that one just reaching man- 
hood's strength of intellect, and of whom we might 
properly expect thirty years more of efficient labor, 
should fall so soon ; but so doeth He, who " doeth all 
things well." 

His wife remained in the place during the winter and 
supplied the pulpit by inviting neighboring ministers to 
preach from Sabbath to Sabbath. This illustrates the 
ability and faithfulness of this noble woman. On the 
15th of April, 181 1, the Society voted, "that the Socie- 
ty's committee pay over to Mrs. Woodward, the widow 
of our late pastor, the same sum for each Sabbath which 
she had supplied the pulpit by the neighboring ministers 
that the Rev. Mr. Woodward's salary would have amount- 



78 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

ed to for the same term of time including next Sabbath." 
Mr. Woodward's salary was 80 pounds a year and 25 
cords of wood until 1796, when the Society voted him 90 
pounds without wood, and this continued, probably, until 
his death. 



CHAPTER VI. 

REV. MR. HART'S AND REV. MR. KEYS' MINISTRY: FROM 

1 8 1 1 to 1822. 
rev. mr. hart's short ministry. 

At the meeting- on the 1 5 tli of April, 181 1, when the 
Society voted the settlement with Mrs. Woodward, they 
also voted, "that the Society's committee be directed to 
procure a candidate to preach to or in said Society after 
the next Sabbath,'' and on the 27th of Ma)- next they 
voted " to request the Society's committee to employ 
Rev. Mr. Parmele to supply the pulpit for a time that 
they shall judge proper." 

In August next they had another candidate ; for on 
the 26th they voted, " that the Society's committee be 
requested and directed to agree with Mr. Lucas Hart to 
preach with us six Sabbaths after the next, on probation 
as it is termed, that is to say, if his performances and the 
prospect of his health are such as to be satisfactory to 
the Society and the Society to him, that he continue 
with us as our minister." At the annual meeting, Oct. 
7, 1811, they voted " to give the Rev. Mr. Hart a call 
for a settlement with us as our minister. Voted, to give 
Mr. Hart four hundred and fifty dollars annually as a 
compensation for his services, if he see cause to accept 
the invitation to be our minister. That the Society's 
committee be directed to wait upon Mr Hart and inform 
him what the meeting had done." This meeting ad- 
journed and met on the 4th of Nov., 1811, and voted, 
"that Lewis H. Wakelee, Gates Upson, Ira Hough, Lu- 
cius Tuttle, and John Bronson, Jr., be a committee, in con- 



80 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

junction with the church committee, to provide for the 
Council at the time of ordination, and to take all neces- 
sary measures for the well ordering and conducting the 
same in all respects on the part of the Society." An 
account of the ordination is preserved. 

ORDINATION OF MR. HART. 

"At an Ecclesiastical Council convened at Wolcott, by letters 
missive from the church and Society in said town, at the house of 
Mr. Lucius Tuttle, on the 3d day of December, 181 1, for the 
purpose of ordaining Mr. Lucas Hart to the pastoral care and 
charge of said church and Society, — present : The Rev. Simon 
Waterman, from Plymouth; the Rev. Benoni Upson and Deacon 
Asaph Smith, Kensington; the Rev. Jonathan Miller and Dea- 
con Seth Peck, from the church at Burlington ; the Rev. Luke 
Wood and Mr. Stephen Hotchkiss, from the church at Water- 
bury; the Rev. Luther Hart and Deacon Jacob Heminway, from 
the church at Plymouth ; the Rev. Jonathan Cone and Deacon 
Bryan Hooker, from the church at Bristol ; and Deacon Benja- 
min Dutton, from the church at Southington. 

The Council proceeded to appoint the Rev. Simon Waterman 
Moderator, Rev. Jonathan Cone, Scribe. Business was then 
opened by prayer by the Moderator. The Council then attended 
to the communications from the church and Society, and from 
Mr. Hart, relative to his call and its acceptance. Being satisfied 
with these communications, the Council voted that the way was 
prepared to proceed to the examination of the candidate. After 
a thorough examination into his doctrinal and experimental ac- 
quaintance with the Christian religion, and his views with regard 
to entering the ministry, the Council unanimously voted to pro- 
ceed to the ordination of the candidate at eleven o'clock to-mor- 
row, A. M. The exercises of the ordination were then appro- 
priated as follows : Voted that the Rev. Luther Hart make the 
introductory prayer; Rev. Jonathan Miller preach the sermon; 
Rev. Simon Waterman make the consecrating prayer; during 
which the Rev. Messrs. Waterman, Upson, Miller, and Wood, are 
to impose hands ; Rev. Benoni Upson give the charge ; Rev. 
Luke Wood give the right hand of fellowship; Rev. Jonathan 



R!.\ . MR. MARIS MINISTRY. 8l 

Cone to rnak I icluding prayer. Voted to adjourn til! 

past S (/dock to-morrow morning. 

Wednesday, Decern i . \\ i, th Council met according to ad- 
journment. Voted that they approve .the minutes oi the Co 

Test SIM< >\ \\.\ ll-.KMAX, Moderator 
JONA rilAN Ci >NE, 6 

The exercises of the ordination were performed at the time and 

in the manner specified as above. 

I i. JONA I'llAX CONE, 

On the evening of the day of the ordination of Mr. 

Hart, an ordination " Ball" was held at the house of Air. 
Pitman Stowe, which was th m a hotel, and was the house- 
Mr. Keys afterward occupied as his residence. This ball 
rtified by most reliabl il i sses and confirming 
circumstances. It is also stated that the young pastor 
gave a sermon soon after, that was a high reprimand for 
this ball festivity. It is not asserted that the same com- 
mittee of the church and Society that provided for the 
ordination s - vi was the committee of the ball, but 
that nearly the whole congregation attended the ball. 

Mr. Hart's term of ministerial service was short. He 
was ordained Dec. 4, 181 1, and died in East Haven, ( )ct. 
16, 1813. When he was preaching here on trial his health 
was such that there was doubt whether he would be able 
to do the work of the parish. From all w ■ can learn he 
was a very good and acceptable minister, with more am- 
bition than h :alth to perform the work of a pastor. 

He received I 1 the fellowship of the church fourteen 
»ns ; a ( if church discipline ; 

kept the 1 of the church very carefully in all res- 

pects, and apparently was fully read}- for the summons 
that called him to rest in the mansions of peace. 

I find the following receipt preserved with other papers 
by the clerk of the Society : 

Wolcott, December 9th, 1813. 
Received of Mr. William Bartholomow three hundred and thir- 
ty dollars, in full of all demands, which I have against the Eccle- 
7 



82 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

siastical Society in the town of Wolcott, in favor of Rev. Lucas 
Hart, late of said Wolcott, deceased. 

SIMEON HART, Administrator. 

Since writing the above I have seen the record of deaths 
in East Haven, wherein I find the following: "From 
Wolcott, Oct. ii, 18 1 3, Edward, son of Rev L. Hart; 
disease, dysentery ; one year old ; buried in East Haven. 
Oct. 16, 1813, Rev. Lucas Hart, of dysentery, buried in 
East Haven, aged 29 years." Hence I infer that Mr. Hart 
was married, probably shortly after his settlement in 
Wolcott ; that he was visiting his kindred in East Haven ; 
his little son departed this life, ,and five days later, the 
father followed."" 

REV. MR. REVS' MINISTRV. 

In February, 18 14. a Mr. Stebbins was preaching here 
as a candidate, and the Society voted that "The meet- 
ing give Mr. Stebbins notice that it is their wish to have 
him continue with the Society if it is consistent with him 
and them," but no arrangement was made with him for a 
settlement. 

On the 18th day of April next (1814) they had anoth- 
er candidate and voted: " That we are satisfied with the 
Rev. Mr. Keys as a preacher, and wish to settle or con- 
tinue him as our minister. Voted that we will give Mr. 
Keys the sum of five hundred dollars each year that he 
shall serve us as our minister, as a compensation for his 
services." 

On the 23d of May next they voted : " To renew the 
former call made to the Rev. Mr. Keys to settle with 
us as our minister, and to give him in addition to the 
sum already offered, the quantity of 15 cords of wood 
yearly, so long as he continues to serve as our minister." 
These fifteen cords of wood had weight in this matter, 
evidently, for Mr. Keys came again, and on consulta- 



*See Biography. 



REV. MR. KEYS' MINISTRY. 83 

tion the Society took the following action : " Voted 
that Lucius Tuttle, James Bailey, Pitman Stowe, William 
Bartholomew, Gates Upson, Clark Bronson, Mark Upson, 
and Harvey Upson be a committee to consult with the 
Rev. Mr. Keys respecting the time of installation, the 
council, etc., and make the necessary provisions and ar- 
rangements for their entertainment and convenience, 
and the ceremonies of the day." 

It was nearly three months after this when the invita- 
tions for the Council were sent out, and a month inter- 
vened before the Council met. 

THE LETTER OF INVITATION. 

'• To the Ghurch of Christ in Plymouth, etc., The Church of Christ in Wol- 
cott sendcth Greeting: 

Whereas, the Congregational Church of Christ and Society of 
the town of Wolcott, have unanimously and in due form, given a 
call to the Rev. John Keys of the Presbytery of Albany, State of 
New York, to become their pastor and minister — and whereas, 
the said Mr. Keys has accepted their call, and with them is desir- 
ous of having the pastoral relation constituted — and whereas, 
they have agreed upon and appointed Wednesday, the twenty- 
first of September ensuing, for the installation to take place : This 
is therefore to invite and request you to attend, by your Rev. Pas- 
tor and delegate, at the house of Mr. Lucius Tuttle in Wolcott, 
on the day preceding, at eleven o'clock, A. M., then and there to 
assist in Council, and if the way shall be prepared for the installa- 
tion of Mr. Keys, to take such parts as the Council convened shall 
assign. 

Signed, JOHN. KEYS, Pastor Elect, 
ISAAC BRONSON and others of the committee, in behalf of the church 
and Society. 
August 37 [27], 1814. 

THE COUNCIL. 

" The Council convened according to appointment. Several, 
however, who were invited did not attend, their reasons, after- 
ward assigned, were deemed satisfactory. At an Ecclesiastical 
Council convened by letters missive from the church of Wolcott 



84 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

on the 20th of Sept., 1814, at the house of Mr. Keys, pastor elect, 
in said place, for the purpose of installing the Rev. John Keys in 
the work of the Gospel ministry in said Wolcott — there were pres- 
ent, Rev. Messrs. Lyman Beecher, Litchfield; Luke Wood, Wat- 
erbury ; Luther Hart, Plymouth ; Jonathan Cone, Bristol ; with 
Deacons Pomeroy Newell, Southington ; Thomas Trowbridge, 
from the church in Litchfield ; Jacob Heminway, from the church 
in Plymouth ; Lemuel Porter, from the church in Waterbury ; 
Charles G. Ives, from the church in Bristol. 

The Council proceeded to choose the Rev. Luke Wood, Mod- 
erator, and Rev. Jonathan Cone, Scribe. Prayer was offered by 
the Moderator. The Council having attended to the call of the 
church and Society to the Rev. Mr. Keys, to settle with them in 
the work of the ministry, and likewise to his answer accepting the 
call, and also to his credentials relative to his ministerial standing, 
concluded to proceed to his examination. Having obtained full 
satisfaction as to his doctrinal and experimental knowledge of the 
gospel, — voted unanimously, that we approve of Mr. Keys, as a 
minister of the gospel, and that we proceed to install him in the 
ministry over this people. 

The exercises of the installation were then appointed as fol- 
lows, viz : 

The Rev. Jonathan Cone to read the doings of , the Council and 
make the introductory prayer ; Rev. Lyman Beecher to preach 
the sermon and make the installing prayer ; Rev. Luther Hart to 
give the charge to the pastor elect, and an exhortation to the 
church and people ; and the Rev. Luke Wood to give the right 
hand of fellowship, and make the concluding prayer. 

Voted to proceed to the exercises to-morrow at eleven o'clock, 
A. M. Prayer being offered, voted to adjourn till to-morrow at 
nine o'clock, A. M. 

Wednesday, September 21, 181 4, the Council met and the 

meeting was opened with prayer. Voted to accept the minutes 

of the Council. 

LUKE WOOD, Moderator. 
JONATHAN CONE, Sc 

At eleven o'clock, according to the foregoing resolution, the ex - 
ercises of the installation were performed as above appointed. 

Test. JONATHAN CONE, Scribe. 



REV. MR. KEYS' MINISTRY. 85 

This installation is memorable because of Dr. Beech- 
er's sermon on the occasion; for the effects of that ser- 
mon have not ceased in Wolcot.t nor in Connecticut to 
this day. The subject of the sermon was,* 

"the building of waste places." 

Text: Isaiah. Ixi, 4. And they shall build the old wastes; 
they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair 
the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. 

In the introduction it is stated that : c> The waste 
places of Connecticut, and the duty of building them, 
will be the subject of consideration in this discourse. 
The building of these wastes will include the propaga- 
tion of the truth, the communication of strength to the 
feeble, and the restoration of fallen Societies to the order 
of the gospel. In the illustration of the subject it is pro- 
posed to consider, 

" I. The cause of these desolations. 

" II. The means of restoring them. 

" III. The motives to immediate exertion for that pur- 
pose. 

" I. The immediate causes are, evidently, the difference 
of religious sentiment and worship which prevail, con- 
nected with a criminal indifference to the institutions of 
the Gospel. There is not, in this State, a town or parish 
unable to support the Gospel constantly, and with ease, 
provided all the families in the limits of each wire of one 
heart and of one way to serve the Lord. Hut the prop- 
erty, in many Societies, is divided between three or four 
different denominations, besides a part, which the love of 
money and indifference to the Gospel wholly withdraw 

from the support of divine institutions 

A remote cause of our present wastes is to be found in a 
very great declension of vital piety in the churches, 
which took place many years ago One 

* Only the outline of this sermon i-- given, from a volume of Dr. 1'' 1 1 ti- 
er's sermons. 



2,6 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

effect of this decline was the introduction into the minis- 
try of men, who probably had never experienced the 
power of divine grace on their own hearts, and who, of 
course, would be prepared by native feeling to oppose 
the doctrines of the gospel." These innovations, the Dr. 
says, became at length almost universal throughout New 
England. 

" As another cause of debility and desolation, may be 
noted the defection occasioned by the restoration of 
evangelical doctrine and discipline. The revivals of 
1740 were the commencement of a reformation in this 
state, which has brought the churches back to the doc- 
trines and discipline of our fathers. 

" Another cause of desolation, more limited in its op- 
eration, but not less disastrous in its effects where it has 
operated, has been, the timid policy of forbearing to 
preach plainly those doctrines which offend, and of 
shrinking from a vigilant, efficient discipline in the 
church, lest these things interrupt the peace, and en- 
danger the stability of the congregation. 

" A later cause of decline and desolation has been the 
insidious influence of infidel philosophy." 

Another cause, Dr. Beecher mentions, is "political 
violence and alienation." Another : " The direct enter- 
prise of religious denominations to augment their num- 
bers." Another : "The change made in the law for the 
support of the gospel, in order to accommodate it to the 
changes in religious opinions which had gradually taken 
place in the State." The last cause he mentions is : 
" The common policy, to settle a minister upon an in- 
competent salary, with the expectation that he will sup 
port himself in part by his own exertions." 

" II. The means by which the wastes, in this State, 
may be built. 

" 1. The great utility of the occasional itineration of 
the stated pastors within the limits of each association." 

" 2. Another means may be found in the appointment of 



-" 



REV. MR. KEYS' MINISTRY. 87 

evangelists ; and to these must be added, in some cases, a 
permanent stated supply, until the work of restoration be 
consummated." To these he adds : " Special enterprise 
of ministers in the performance of pastoral duties," and 
especially " pastoral visits." 

" 3. To parochial visits, it will be proper to add an effi- 
cient system for the instruction of children and young 
people in the doctrines and duties of religion," 

And last : " Earnest prayer among the churches, for 
the outporing of the Holy Spirit upon these desolations, 
and the revival of religion." 

" III. The motives to immediate exertion. 
" 1. Duty of the churches to help sister churches to rise. 
"2. Unless these desolations are built, they will be- 
come more desolate. 

" 3. If these waste places are not built, they will exert a 
powerful influence to create other wastes, and extend 
the scene of desolation. 

"4. If these wastes are not built, they will undermine, 
ultimately, the civil and religious order of the state. 

" 5. The time past is more than sufficient to have neg- 
lected our duty and slept over our dangers." 

It was on that part of this sermon concerning the sup- 
port of evangelists, who might be sent out, that Dr. 
Beecher made remarks which were suggestive to the 
ministers of the State, and which resulted in the change 
of the Missionary Society of the State to the Connecti- 
cut Home Missionary Society. 

The " Missionary Society of Connecticut" was organ- 
ized in 1798, the objects of which were : " To Christianize 
the heathen in North America, and to support and pro- 
mote Christian knowledge in the new settlements of the 
United States." This did not include home evangeliza- 
tion. Doctor Beecher in this sermon recommended the 
formation of a "general society for this special purpose." 
In 181 5, about six months after the delivery of this 
sermon, the General Association of Connecticut took up 



88 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

the subject and appointed a committee who reported at 
the next annual meeting. " On their report it was re- 
solved unanimously to form a Domestic Missionary So- 
ciety, for Connecticut and its vicinity." This Society is 
now the " Connecticut Home Missionary Society" and is 
auxiliary to the American Home Missionary Society. 
So much for the State of Connecticut. 

In this sermon, also, Dr. Beecher refers to the educa- 
tion of children, in the following words : " To parochial 
visits, it will be proper to add an efficient system for the 
instruction of children and young people in the doctrines 
and duties of religion." " It is almost unspeakably im- 
portant, that a system of religious instruction adapted to 
the age and altered feelings of young people be provided, 
to succeed the shorter catechism." Here we perceive the 
largeness of the Doctor's plan. " A system of religious 
instruction, for children and young people." The pres- 
ent Sabbath-school system of instruction is intended to 
meet this " unspeakably important" demand. 

This part of the sermon resulted in the commencement 
of Sunday-schools in the parish under Mr. Keys' adminis- 
tration. 

So much for this sermon. It is frequently remarked 
that Dr. Beecher's thoughts were " Fifty years ahead of 
his day." It is now fifty-nine years since he delivered 
this sermon and we arc only beginning to realize the 
systems of church work he planned out for us. Truly 
some men's works do follow them ; and works of which 
the}', and the world, need not be ashamed. What if 
there had been a thousand Dr. Becchers, and each with 
a family as numerous and noted for good as Dr. Lyman 
Beecher's ! This may be thought no part of Wolcott 
history, but I assure such that without the Beecher fam- 
ily a large and very important part of Wolcott history 
would be wanting."' 

* It is said that Capt. Joseph Beecher and his sister who married Capt. 
Herman Hall, and Capt. Amos Beecher (all of Wolcott) were cousins to 
Dr. Lyman Beecher. 



REV. MR. KEYS' MINISTRY. 89 

It should be remembered that this sermon was 
preached in Wolcott when Wolcott was not a " waste 
place" but in its glory and strength. From 1790 to 1820, 
it was one of the strong Societies of the count}'. In 1806 
it had over two hundred tax payers on the list of the So- 
ciety, and this continued about the same for twenty years 
afterward; and the town had a reputation for agricul- 
tural products equal to any in the count}'. 1 hen wheat 
grew on these hills more abundantly than in the valleys 
adjoining, and it would have been a disgrace to have im- 
ported corn into " Puddin' street." 

Dr. Beecher did not preach this sermon, alone for Wol- 
cott, but for all Connecticut, and that, too, for a century 
of time after he should cease preaching on earth. 

Mr. Keys had moved into the parish before he was in- 
stalled and was read}- to move forward in his work when 
the ex ;rcises of installation closed, and he did it right 
well. The first thing that meets us in his work, is the 
fulness of the records he made of the doings of the 
church, a matter which had been almost wholly omitted 
by the pastors before Mr. Hart. Hence we have the 
names of all who made application to join the church ; 
the reports of the examining committees, and the decision 
of the church on each report during Mr. keys' pastorate. 
We discover, also, from these records that Mr. Keys was 
a man of church discipline, not afraid to try to preserve 
the honor of the church by attending to those delinquent 
cases that sometimes occur in regard to individuals of 
the: highest standing in the community. 

Mr. Keys was a good preacher, above medium, but not 
equal to Mr. Woodward ; a good and faithful pastor and 
public school visitor, and was esteemed, and kindly 
cared for, by the parish during his stay among them. 
Daring his pastorate, forty-one united with the church, — 
thirty-five of them by profession ; and every interest of 
the church seems to have been cared for faithfully to 
the close of his labors, and even after he was dismissed. 



90 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

The following entry in the church book illustrates 
these statements : 

"At a church meeting, July 2d, 181 9, opened with prayer. 
. . . After some conversation on the duty of calling the 
brethren to account, for neglecting gospel institutions, and on 
the subject of setting up a Sabbath School, adjourned till our 
next preparatory lecture — conclude with prayer. 

Attest. JOHN KEYS, Pastor. 

In the church meeting of March 2d, 1821, we find the 
following entry : " After some free conversation and 
earnest exhortation by several of the members, on the 
present low state of our church, and on the importance 
of awaking to activity to some extraordinary exertions 
to revive our drooping graces and promote the cause of 
the Redeemer among us — adjourned." 

Mr. Keys had more than an ordinary amount of church 
discipline to attend to, all of which was prosecuted by 
church vote in regular form, and it was the fact of these 
difficulties that led the brethren on this occasion to 
"earnest exhortations to the importance of awaking to 
extraordinary exertions to revive drooping graces and 
promote the cause of the Redeemer." 

Also, from the first, Mr. Keys had been a faithful pastor 
in catechising the children at home and in the public 
schools ; but now he was on the move towards the Sab- 
bath-school, which he succeeded in holding two sum- 
mers. Here he calls this enterprise a " Sabbath-school," 
and as far as I can learn, it was a "Sabbath-school full 
grown for those days, and to this Deacon Irad Bronson , 
now living, adds his testimony. The catechism was re- 
cited, verses of the Bible were committed to memory, 
for which the children received credit of so many mills 
for every ten verses, and at the end of the school a book, 
in value according to the credit standing to their sev- 
eral names. Addresses were made by pastor, deacons, 
and others, which, doubtless, were quite as appropriate 



REV. MR. KEYS' MINISTRY. 91 

and valuable as many are in these later days. Mrs. 
Mark Tuttle has now in her possession a little book 
given her by Rev. Mr. Keys on account of attendance at 
Sabbath-school. It is a paper covered book, 16 mo., print- 
ed in New York in 1S10. The subject matter is : "The 
principles of the ( 'hristian Religion, in verse, for the use 1 >1 
children, by P. Doddridge, D. D., arranged for this object 
by Dr. Doddridge at Northampton, England, Oct. 31, 
1743. One of the teachers in this school, Mrs. Hannah 
Plumb, is now living, and four women, who were then girls 
in her class,— Mrs. Mark Tuttle, Mrs. Johnson Alcott,Mrs. 
James Alcott, and Mrs. Isaac Hough, — are still living. 

EFFICIENCY OF THE CHURCH. 

During Mr. Keys' pastorate the church and Society 
were diligent and energetic. There was appointed, eve- 
ry year, a committee like the following, and for the same 
purposes: 1816, "Voted that Lucius Tuttle, John Pot- 
ter, and John Frisbie, be a committee to provide seats 
for persons moving in [into the parish] and others as shall 
be necessary the coming year." Year after year this was 
attended to regularly, because then people removed 
into the community but now they remove out. The 
tax to provide for the support of the gospel, includ- 
ing " ministerial and other necessary charges," was four 
to six cents on a dollar, on the tax list ; now the 
Connecticut Home Missionary Society requires " one per 
cent" to be paid before they render help to a church ; 
but the assessment was much lower, on property then 
than now. In 18 1 5 the tax was 5 cents ; in 1816, 4 cents ; 
in 1 8 17, 6 cents ; in 1818, 6 cents ; in 1 8 19, they " voted 
that a tax of 12 cents on the dollar be laid on the assess- 
ment list of said Society for 18 19, payable to the Treas- 
urer of said Society, immediately, to pay Mr. Keys' sala- 
ry for 1820, and other necessary expenses." 

This twelve per cent, tax, "raised a dust" in Wolcott, 
that ended in the dismissal of Mr. Keys, and in a vacant 



92 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

pastorate for many years. At the next annual meeting 
in October they voted to try to raise, by subscription, a 
sum sufficient to defray the necessary expenses of the 
Society for the year ensuing." During these years Mr. 
Keys' salary was five hundred dollars a year ; and other 
Society expenses very little. The Society went through 
this year on the subscription plan, and at the end of the 
year voted : "That a tax, payable on demand, be laid on 
the list of said Society for 1819, sufficient to raise the 
sum of three hundred dollars, to be applied wholly to the 
payment of the debts of the Society at that time due, or 
that were incurred that year." Yet they proceeded to 
try the subscription plan another year, and appointed 
" Ira Hough, Jesse Upson, David Frisbie, James Bailey, 
Ziba Norton, Samuel Plumb, and Josiah Thomas, a com- 
mittee to solicit subscriptions." These were mostly new 
men in the business of the Society and doubtless were op- 
posed to taxation and in favor of a free gospel. 

What was the result ! At the next annual meeting, 
Oct. 14, 1822, the\- "voted that David Frisbie, James 
Bailey, and Thomas Upson be a committee to consult 
with Mr. Keys and obtain from him the lowest terms 
upon which he is willing to preach for us the year ensu- 
ing, and whether, if the Society cannot find it possible to 
raise the stipulated sum, it would be agreeable to his 
feelings to be amicably dismissed." The committee wait- 
ed upon Mr. Keys and returned with a written answer, 
whereupon the meeting adjourned. 

This twelve per cent, tax was called for probably, from 
the fact that the Society had fallen in debt from year to 
year till something must be done to pay up. 

MR. KEYS' COMMUNICATION. 
" To the Ecclesiastical Society in Wolcott : 

Gentlemen: Your committee have waited on me to know 
what proposition I have to make to the Society, to which I reply : 
1 st. I will accept for the current year of what sum you shall be 
able to raise, together with the usual quantity of wood, for which 



REV. MR. KEYS' MINISTRY. 93 

I will supply the desk so many Sabbaths as that compensates for, 
at the rate of $500 the year. Or, 2 1. [f a dissolution of our re- 
lation shall be judged necessary — deeply as 1 deplore it, wt con- 
sidering the situation 01" the Society, 1 shall consent mi condition 
that they pay me two hundred dollars in money or in things nec- 
essary for the support of my family at cash prices, old 
being paid up. I propose this not as a compensation but as wil- 
ling to bear a part of the burden which in Providence is fallen 
upon us ; or. 3d. I am willing to abide the decision of any disin- 
terested Council. That you may be directed in the path of duty 
and come to such a result as may be for the glory of Cod and 
the best interests of Christ's kingdom, is the prayer of your sin- 
cere friend and servant in Christ. 

joiin 1. 1 \ s." 

Wolcott, ' >ct. 14, I 322. 

It is often the case that when troubles come in a Soci- 
ety, the minister is thought worthy of a full share of the 
responsibility. In 1806 there were over two hundred 
tax payers in the Society- and the largest sum paid by 
any one man was less than nine dollars a year, and only 
n that paid over five dollars a year. The Society 
was not reduced by emigration as in after years, for the 
diminishing of numbers in the town began after Mr. Keys 
left. Quite a number withdrew from the Congregational 
and joined the Episcopal Society, but apparently 11 
ly an equal number graduated, by age, into member- 
ship or removed into the parish. Besides, there was ener- 
gy and ability in the church for other interests. 

In 1815, they voted, "that a stove or stoves may be 
erected in the meeting house ; if one only, at the west 
door ; if two, then one at the east door, in the aisles, with 
pipes to convey the smoke out of the house in a conven- 
ient and proper manner." This resolution was executed, 
and one of those stoves is now used in Mr. Dennis 
Pritchard's saw mill. 

The singing was improved at considerable expense. 
During Mr. Woodward's ministry a tax was laid several 



94 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

times for the "encouraging of singing." In 1815 they 
laid a tax of " six mills on the dollar to procure a teacher 
of singing;" and at a special meeting six months later 
they added 4 mills, making one per cent. " to pay the 
singing master." In 18 16 they voted to accept the offer 
of Mr. Stephen Harrison, and directed the committee to 
pay him the sum of ten dollars upon his spending one 
half day in each week so long as it shall be necessary to 
initiate young beginners who shall attend, in the first ru- 
diments of singing, and two evenings in each week for 
three months in teaching and perfecting the singing." 
In 18 1 7, "voted that the Society's committee be author- 
ized and requested to take such measures and expend 
such sums from the Society treasury as they shall judge 
proper for the encouragement of singing, the year ensu- 
ing." In 1817, voted " That the committee be requested 
to take such measures as they shall judge proper to en- 
courage and keep up singing." 

Notwithstanding this apparent prosperity, the Society 
had lost so much strength that it could not meet the en- 
gagements made with Mr. Keys. 

In Oct. 28th, they voted that " under existing circum- 
stances we are willing to dismiss the Rev. Mr. Keys from 
his service as our pastor and minister." 

On November 5th, they appointed a committee to con- 
fer with the church and Mr. Keys, and if desirable to 
make arrangements for the Council. 

Upon this Mr. Keys wrote the following letter to the 
church : 

Beloved Brethren : 

The painful hour seems now arrived, in the sovereign dispensa- 
tions of Providence, when we must part. The course of your 
deliberations this day, unpleasant and trying as they are, is 
plainly marked out. I have judged it best not to be present ; 
the task would be painful ; but I think also, that prudence dic- 
tates, you should be by yourselves. 



REV. MR. KEYS' MINISTRY. 95 

If you shall concur with the propositions of the Society, relative 
to a dissolution of the pastoral relation between me and this 
church and congregation, which propositions have already been 
communicated to me, by their committee, I hereby give consent, 
and am ready to unite with you in calling a Council to carry them 
into effect. You will not need my assistance in selecting a Coun- 
cil. Any of the neighboring churches may be sent to — I should 
suppose five would be sufficient ; but I cheerfully submit the mat- 
ter to your discretion. 

The condition of each of us — of the church and Society, and 
myself, — must necessarily be very unpleasant and trying. A church 
without the stated ordinances, and the minister without the 
means of support. We can, therefore, and I trust do, mutually 
sympathize with each other. Let us remember, brethren, and let 
us receive the consolation of it : The Lord reigns. 

While I have been with you, though one of the least of all 
saints, if a saint, and unworthy to be called to the pastoral office, 
yet I have endeavored to be faithful. I have many and strong 
ties of affection towards this church. I never can forget you, or 
cease, in my feeble, unworthy manner, to pray for you; and 
brethren, I hope and trust you never will forget to pray for me. 

Our journey in this life is a thorny maze ; every bush we pass 
inflicts a wound. Truly we may not look for our portion here 
below. But, blessed be God, our hopes reach beyond the grave. 
There may we meet, when the storms of life are o'er — free from 
sin. free from sorrow and pain and perplexity and disquietude, to 
dwell in the smiles of our God and Sovereign, forever. 

That you, brethren, may be kept from falling j enabled to 
maintain the good fight of faith, walking in obedience to all 
God's commands, and be preserved through grace to the final 
coming of Jesus Christ in his kingdom, is the sincere prayer of 
your yet affectionate pastor and unworthy brother in Christ. 

JOHN KEYS. 

Wolcott, Nov. nth, 1822. 

No vote of the church in regard to this is preserved. 

On the 18th of the same month, the Society voted, 
"That the only cause or reason which we have for our 
committee to lay before the Council as a ground of dis- 



g6 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

missing the Rev. Mr. Keys from his pastoral relation to 
us, is our being, from the smallness of our numbers, and 
already embarrassing circumstances, utterly unable to 
afford him a sufficient support." 

There are no records of the session or decision of a 
Council, yet it is very probable that the Council was called 
and rendered its decision, and that Mr. Keys was regu- 
larly dismissed in the first part of Dec, 1822, having 
served the parish eight years and three months. 

He had several children and a family that he could 
scarcely keep comfortable on five hundred dollars a year, 
and to be dismissed in December, the beginning of winter, 
was a sore trial, besides the fact that Mr. Keys was 
greatly attached to his church and people. 

He made an entry in the church book in December, 
1822, and signed it as " Late Pastor." 

On Dec. 31, 1822, the Society voted "That we lay a 
tax on the list of 182 1, to the amount of three hundred 
and twenty-five dollars for the purpose of discharging 
the claims of Mr. Keys against the Society." 



CHAPTER VII. 



WITHOUT A PASTOR. 



It runs in the memory of some persons now living, as 
well as in the records of the Society, that before and 
after the dismissal of Mr. Keys, the Meeting house was 
crowded with hearers to such an extent that it was one 
of the great difficulties of the Society, to provide seats 
to accommodate and satisfy the people. One dollar per 
person, per year, from the regular attendants, would 
probably have paid the salary of Mr. Keys [$500], and 
yet they dismissed him, as they say, "for no other rea- 
son " than that the salary could not be raised, and had 
not been for a number of years, on which account the 
Society was in debt. At this time there was money 
enough in Wolcott, and if not, there were wheat, corn, 
and butter in abundance ; for those were the days of 
prosperity in it. We are compelled to conclude that 
there must have been some radical cause for the unwil- 
lingness to support Mr. Keys. I am at a loss to know 
what it was, and have heard but one suggestion, — 
namely, that while Mr. Keys was an eminent scholar, and 
a man of diligence and energy, faithful in all his work, 
visiting families and public schools, catechising the chil- 
dren, attending social meetings, and preaching, yet the 
theology he preached was so imbued with the darker 
doctrines of Calvinism, that the people did not feel like 
paying heavily, nor even moderately, for it. Another fact 
deserving of consideration is that his dismissal occurred 
during the conflict of public sentiment in this town, be- 
tween the two systems of supporting the gospel, — the 



98 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

one by levying a tax, and the other by subscription. 
There was much opposition to the taxing system ; there- 
had been for thirty years. But if this had been the cause 
of the failure to raise the money, I do not understand how 
it occurred that when the Society voted to raise Mr. Keys' 
salary by subscription one year, as they did two or three 
years before his dismissal, they should have incurred a 
debt of nearly three hundred dollars. I have not learned 
that Mr. Keys was an objectionable minister on account 
of discussing "politics in the pulpit." Mr. Woodward was 
a high toned Federalist, and Thomas Jefferson was criti- 
cised with spirit and energy, more especially because 
Mr. Jefferson was supposed to be an infidel, which was the 
highest wickedness to the good minds of the Puritans. 
But Mr. Woodward's commanding dignity and learning, 
and his genial good nature, disarmed opposition even on 
the part of political opponents. Yet a considerable num- 
ber left the Society during his ministry ; some for this 
cause and some for other reasons. But these questions 
do not appear to have effected the minds of the people 
during Mr. Keys' ministry, and hence some other cause 
must have brought the support of the gospel into disre- 
pute. 

Another singular fact is, that although when Dr. Beech- 
er made it emphatic at the installation of Mr. Keys, that 
a Society could much better afford to pay for the preach- 
ing of the gospel than to go without it, this Society should 
dismiss Mr. Keys with the expectation of remaining with- 
out a minister for a length of time, though probably not 
as long as proved to be the case. For three years after 
the dismissal of Mr. Keys there is no mention of any vote 
of the Society referring to the matter of hiring a minister, 
or obtaining one in any way.* They attended regularly 

* During the history of the Society for seventy years, or more, the com- 
mittee never hired a minister or procured a candidate without a vote of the 
Society to that effect. It was left for committees of later days to hire min- 
isters, continue them ad libitum, and dismiss them, without allowing the 
Society any voice in the matter ; a clear violation of Congregational rules. 



WITHOUT A PASTOR. 



99 



to all other interests of the Society. Soon after his dis- 
missal (Dec. 31, 1822 ) they voted to lay " a tax on the list 
of 1 82 1, to the amount of three hundred and twenty-five 
dollars, for the purpose of discharging the claims of Mr. 
Keys." In May next they voted that a tax be laid suffi- 
cient to raise the sum of two hundred and seventy dol- 
lars. They appointed Thomas Upson as agent to collect 
the several " notes and debts due the Society on old ar- 
rearages, and if possible to settle the debts of the Socie- 
ty due S. J. Hitchcock." They appointed yearly the 
seating committee to seat the people in the Meeting 
house, and appointed in 1823 a special committee to "dig- 
nify or number the pews anew." 

In annual meeting, 1824, the)- voted, "That John S. 
Atkins, Joseph N. Sperry, Jerry Upson, John Beecher, Jr. 
and Thomas Upson be a committee, to solicit subscrip- 
tions for the encouragement of singing ; lay out and ap- 
propriate the moneys obtained as they shall judge proper 
and best, and superintend the whole business." In 1825 
they appointed another committee for the same purpose, 
consisting of Gates Upson, Thomas Horton, George 
Griswold, Jerry Upson, John S. Atkins, and Ira Frisbie. 
Here is evidence of energy and of ability to do almost 
anything they chose to do as a Society. 

These facts bring to view the character and standing of 
Deacon Isaac Bronson. After Mr. Keys was dismissed 
Mr. Bronson became the minister, in fact, although not in 
form ; first, to fill the vacancy during the embarrassed 
condition of the Society, and after that, by the informal 
choice of the people. He had been a member of the 
church over thirty years ; had been a deacon seventeen 
years, being sixty-one years of age. He had not the 
advantages of high school or collegiate education, — Mr. 
Woodward's school having begun several years after Mr. 
Bronson was married. Yet Isaac Bronson attained to a 
very creditable education for those times. 

We have now in the Ministers' Library of this parish 



IOO HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

a book of " Mathematicks" containing" Arithmetick, Al- 
gebra, Geometry, Conick Sections, and Arithmetick of 
Infinites," which was owned by Rev. Alexander Gillet, 
(dated as "his book," 1767) and which Mr. Bronson 
bought of Mr. Gillet for six shillings.* Mr. Bronson was a 
Latin scholar, as may be seen in his writings as clerk of 
the church and the town. Some sketches of sermons of 
his have fallen into my hands which show unusual histor- 
ical knowledge and very great familiarity with Bible his- 
tory. 

He is said to have been a man of remarkable eloquence 
in prayer, and in addressing a religious assembly, and with 
this all his writings now left correspond. Could he have 
had the opportunities of an early education, it is doubt- 
ful if the county or State could have boasted of a greater 
man than he. To this opinion all persons with whom I 
have conversed, in and out of Wolcott, agree. He was 
a man of great diffidence, but when called out by cir- 
cumstances or peculiar occasions, he surpassed the ex- 
pectations of all. 

When, therefore, the Society in Wolcott was brought 
to extremities, Isaac Bronson became its leader and min- 
ister without ordination. Thus he continued for nearly 
three years, but for what " consideration " from the Society 
we have no means of knowing except by a vote passed 
at the end of three years, as follows : "That the Soci- 
ety's committee" (and others named,) " be a committee 
to circulate subscriptions to raise money to hire preach- 
ing." This indicates that no money was raised for this 
purpose during the three years, for in those times money 
was not raised except by vote of Society. It is further 
evident from the fact, that upon the passage of this vote 
Mr. Bronson refused to serve the Society, as before ; as is 

*The possession of hooks relating to advanced studies, and the fact fre- 
quently mentioned among the people, that often, when tired at night, he 
lay on the floor of his shop, with his head toward the fire, studying by fire- 
light, indicate the methods by which he obtained knowledge. 



WITHOUT A PASTOR. IOI 

evident from a vote of the Society two months later, as 
follows : " That Gates Upson, Lud Lindsley, Ashbel Up- 
son, Ira Hough, and David Frisbie, be a committee to 
confer with Deacon Isaac Bronson in regard to the diffi- 
culties subsisting between him and the Society, and the 
cause of his unwillingness to serve the Society as hereto- 
fore." After conferring with him the Society in a meet- 
ing held one week later, voted to rescind the former vote 
to hire preaching, and that money be raised to hire 
preaching " for one third part of the year, beginning the 
first of April next." That is, the} 7 should hire preaching 
four months, and the remainder of the year Isaac Bron- 
son should preach for nothing. How the men of the So- 
ciety could be at ease in their consciences, and let one 
man, and he a poor man, carry the largest part of the 
burden of the church for three years without compensa- 
tion is beyond explanation, except on the supposition 
that they had been educated to think that if a man 
were ordained, he should be paid for preaching, other- 
wise not, no matter how eloquent or successful the 
preaching, or how great the service rendered. Probably 
but few ministers were ever more highly appreciated, 
in their parish generally, than was Isaac Bronson during 
these years, and but for the prejudices of a few leading 
men, he would have been ordained and settled as pas- 
tor; and in that case would have served their Society 
with as great success as any man they had had. 

There were peculiar reasons why they should have 
paid him something appropriate for his work infilling the 
place of a pastor. He had several children and a noble, 
patient wife, for whom he could scarcely provide the com- 
forts of life which his neighbors possessed. He had been 
clerk of the Society for twenty-six years, and had served 
the church as clerk and treasurer for fifteen wars ; and 
as deacon for twenty years. His health had been so 
poor, from hemorrhage of the lungs, that his family often 
expected his speedy departure to the better land. He 



102 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

had taught school many years with small pay ; and was 
constant in every good work, for religion, education, and 
the town and State in which he lived. The Society had 
prospered and the public feeling had improved, so that 
they began to feel like raising a minister's salary, and 
did proceed with a tax in Sept., 1826, of ninety dollars, 
to repair the Meetinghouse. In all righteousness among 
brethren why should they not have payed Deacon Isaac 
Bronson for his labors in preaching and attending to the 
other duties of a pastor ? 

Thus did the Society continue enjoying a gratuitous 
ministry for the space of five years. What was the result ? 
They had all grown " lean" except Isaac Bronson. Dr. 
Beecher had told them they could better afford to pay a 
minister than go without one. They had now tried the 
latter, and to what effect? All were asleep, in religion, 
except when the voice of Isaac Bronson aroused them in 
church or "broke" their hearts at the funerals. The 
year before Mr. Keys left, twelve united with the church, 
and during his ministry of eight years, forty-one united, 
but during these five years of a vacant pulpit, not one 
united, as far as the books show. But in mercy God 
sent them a minister to awake them, for in the midst of 
their sleep, a voice was heard as of one "in the wilderness" 
calling them to repentance. How he came we know 
not, but certainly not by the call of the Society or 
church." At a meeting held Oct. 28th, 1827, they voted 
that the "committee be directed to employ Mr. Scran- 
ton to preach for us until the end of May next." 

On the 10th of next March they voted, " That seven 
persons, one in each school district, be forthwith ap- 
pointed to solicit subscriptions for the support of the 
Rev. Mr. Scranton as a preacher of the gospel for the 
year next ensuing, after the first of June next." He 

* We learn from his journal, left in the hands of Mr. Jarvis R. Bronson, 
that he came here on Saturday, June 16, 1S27, to preach for a number of 
Sabbaths. 



WITHOUT A PASTOR. IO3 

preached here two years and then departed ; the only 
reason we find is that the Society failed to raise three 
hundred dollars for his support for the year, as he desired. 
The first winter he was here he taught school three 
months, and in the spring and summer following there 
was a general awakening, and many were added to the 
church. This carried them through the second year. 
but when an effort was made for the third year it did 
not succeed well, and the Society voted on Jul}- 7, 1829, 
" That the committee appointed on the 30th of May to 
solicit subscriptions to hire preaching, offer their papers 
on the terms that in case there is not enough obtained to 
raise the sum of three hundred dollars, then whatsoever 
is subscribed to be null and void." Soon after this, Mr. 
Scranton left. Mr. Scranton's labors were many and re- 
sulted in great good to the church and community. As 
proof of this and as evidence of the Lord's faithfulness 
to those who labor faithfully, we give some extracts 
from Mr. Scranton's journal, which was sent after his 
death to Mr. Jarvis R. Bronson. These labors were put 
forth amidst great difficulties and, hindrances. The 
church was much divided, and great indifference to relig- 
ion prevailed throughout the community. Indeed, when 
there began to be a stir about religion, some of the peo- 
ple spoke against it and ridiculed it. 

JOURNAL OF REV. ERASTUS SCRANTON IX WOLCOTT, 1S27 AND 1828. 

June 16, Saturday; came here to preach several Sabbaths. 

17. Preached, being unwell. 1 have not recovered from my 
dangerous illness in May. I found the Society feeble and dis- 
united, but desirous to have steady preaching. 

July 1st. Administered the Lord's Supper. It had not been 
celebrated here before, for a long time. It was a precious sea- 
son to Christian people. 

Great coldness among professors 01' religion — much immorality 
among the people. 

Sept. Miss Orpha Thomas, who is about 16, has been 



104 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

awakened and hopefully converted to Christ in the course of the 
summer. The preaching of the word is better attended than it 
was during the two months past. . Administered the sacrament of 
the Lord's Supper. 

Oct. 26. Maria, wife of S. Wheeler Upson, and Laura, wife of 
Linus Munson, admitted to the church. For several years there 
has not been an addition to the church. Mr. Upson, on seeing 
his wife come out and join the church, was led to reflect. It was 
the means of his conversion, 'tis to be hoped. 

Oct. 30, Thursday. Returned from attending the conference 
of the churches at Waterbury; called on Wheeler Upson, and 
found him an awakened sinner. Attended meeting at Woodtick 
School House; preached from Jer. 17, 9. 

In the course of the season past, Colonel Moses Pond has been 
awakened and hopefully converted. He did not let it be known, 
till his sickness. He has been in great distress at times, and 
found relief, I suppose, on Sabbath, Nov. 4, on his way home 
from meeting. 

November, 1827. I have had repeated conversation with Mr. 
Upson, &c. He obtained hope about three weeks after his 
first awakening. 

Nov. 4, Sabbath. Spoke to several young ladies that came 
in to Mr. Whiting's. 

Nov. 14. Conferences begin to be full and solemn. We seem 
on the eve of an awakening here. There has not been anything 
like a general revival here at any time.* B. L. revive thy work. 

December, 1827. Meetings still full and solemn. Some Chris- 
tians awake and pleading for a revival. 

January 15, 1828, Thursday. Miss Rebecca Hall came here 
with Miss Vesta Frisbie, to see me, being awakened three weeks 
ago at her Uncle Frost's. She talked as one under conviction; 
proposed to come to school, f 

Jan. 18. Took tea at Mr. Mark Tuttle's — found his wife 

* There was a general awakening in 1783 under the preaching of Rev. 
Messrs. Mills and Miller and the labors of Mr. Gillet, and this was therefore 
forty-four years before Mr. Scranton came here. Tint a forty-four years' sleep 
was probably long enough ! 

\ Mr. Scranton taught school — I suppose a selecl school like Mr. Wood- 
ward's and Mr. Keys'. 



WITHOUT A PASTOR. 105 

awakened. She told me that my conversation at their house, 
when I and Capt. Gates Upson came there, two or three weeks 
before, first awakened her. She had never disclosed her anxious 
feelings to any one before. Preached in the East School House 
this evening — full and solemn meeting. It is now manifest that 
an awakening is begun in this place. 

19, Saturday evening. I went to make a religious visit to Mr. 
Albert Boardman. He was absent, but I found her [his wife] 
awakened as I suppose. I then called to see Mr. J. N. Sperry, 
and found him more anxious than he ever was before, as he told 
me — his wife listened. 

20, Sabbath. This evening called to see Mr. Clark Bronson 
and wife. I found her indulging a hope. I called at Eldad 
Parker's and found his wife thoughtful. She told me that 13 
yeais ago, at Shenango, she was awakened, but grieved away the 
Holy Spirit. Has feeling, but no reason to hope. 

Jan. 21. Monday evening. Mr. Boardman came to see me. in 
deep concern of soul. He tells me that he was first awakened 
last June. 

Jan. 22, Tuesday. Conversed with Miss Rebecca Hall, at 
noon, who says her mind is relieved. In the evening I went to 
preach at Mr. Levi Atkin's. Heard that Mr. Newton Norton 
talks seriously. 

25th. The center school house was full (though it rained hard), 
and the meeting solemn. 

27th, Sabbath. Exchanged with Mr. Hart and preached at 
Plymouth. 

29. In conversation I find Mr. Doolittle anxious. He has felt 
that religion is important since his sickness two years ago. He 
lacks decision. 

Feb. 1, 1828, Friday. Martha Tuttle is still anxious. No hope. 

3, Sab. To-day Col. Pond and Mr. Upson told me they had a 
wish to join the church. 

7. Conference of the churches at Prospect. 

8th, Friday. Held first inquiry meeting; present 10 persons — 
Col. Pond, Mr. Upson, Clark Bronson and wife, Mrs. Parker, 
Mrs. Moulthrop, Mary Upson, Charlotte Harrison, (lea G. Doo- 
little, and Rebecca Hall. 

11. Monday. Preached at Woodtick ; meeting full and solemn. 



106 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

13. Preached at South School House. 

15. Preached in Center School House, and meeting solemn, 
and 70 present. 

18, Monday. Anxious meeting here to-night and a very rainy 
evening — 6 only present, one of whom is Miss Clarissa Upson, 
rejoicing in hope. 

March 2, Sab. Col. Pond and S. VV. Upson joined church. 

3. Monthly Concert. Full meeting and interesting. 

1 2th. Preached at Woodtick, having closed my school to-day. 

13th. Visited at Mr. Bement's, &c. Cyrus Fenn somewhat anx- 
ious. 

17th, Monday. Anxious meeting. 

15th. Esther Hotchkiss anxious some, and came to the anx- 
ious meeting. 

23. Began a Bible class. 

24. Went to N. Milford and found there had been 4 to 6 con- 
versions. 

30, Sab. Preached at Cheshire and came to Wolcott and 
preached in the evening at Center School House, where I heard 
that Lowman Upson has a hope. Church voted to invite the 
Conference. 

April 1st, Tuesday. Went to N. Milford. 

2d. Conference of churches at N. M. 78 delegates. 

4th. Annual Fast. Snowed all day. Rode from Prospect 
(where I preached last night) to Wolcott. 

6th. Report from the Conference was listened to by all the 
congregation. Many were affected tt> tears. 

7th. Monthly concert. Asaph Hotchkiss came to see me, 
P. M., in distress — and sent for me to come to his house, &c. 
His wife and Esther and Wealthy interested. 

8th. Preached at Spindle Hill. 

9th. Preached at South District. 

nth. Preached at Woodtick. 

May rst. Preached at South District. 

Up to this time Mr. Scranton had urged forward this 
work without any formal action on the part of the church. 
On April 25th the church met, and voted, "That Dea- 
cons James Bailey, Isaac Bronson, and Irad Bronson, 



WITHOUT A PASTOR. IO7 

with Brethren Thomas Upson, Harvey Upson, Ashbel 
Upson, Lucius Tuttle, Daniel Holt, Abner Ifotehkiss, 
and Samuel W. Upson be a committee to visit the seve- 
ral members of the church, male and female, and inquire 
the situation of their minds in a religious point of view , 
and whether any, and if any, what matter of offense lies 
upon their minds and against any brother or sister, and 
if an}' such exist, to use their influence that the same may 
be mutually and satisfactorily healed and settled in a 
Christian manner." 

On May 1st, Mr. Scranton wrote: "The church com- 
mittee began their visits to prepare for the Conference to 
be held among them, and it was ascertained there was a 
happy state of feeling among the brethren ; a readiness 
to confess their sins and to renew covenant. Several 
meetings of the church were pleasant and humbling sea- 
sons. Some few are opposed to the Conference — call it 
a Methodist meeting ; speak against a revival as a perni- 
cious thing. \Y. A. ; J. H.; J. A." 

May 4th. Wednesday. The Conference met late in the day, 
owing to the great rain yesterday. The church and people were 
prepared to receive them with open hearts. 

5th. The meetings last evening and this morning, in the sev- 
eral districts were full, solemn, and interesting. 30 churches 
represented and 40 delegates. 

May 6, Friday. Went down to Mr. John Frishie's and found 
him an awakened, distressed church memher. Mrs. Frisbie was 
all in tears. Soon after, Sarah, their son's wife, came in anil on 
my speaking to her she was much affected. I prayed, and it was 
a scene of deep interest. 

Met Mr. Fitch Higgins 12 or 15 rods from his door, and he 
clasped my hand, and on being asked h§w he did, he exclaimed. 
"T am a poor sinner." His wife was under deep conviction. He 
said he had tried to work but could not. 

At Mr. David Frishie's was another deeply interesting scene, 
and a meeting was appointed at the school house in the evening, 
which was ' a full and solemn concourse.' 



IOS HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

On arriving home I learned that Mr. Smith Atkins had been to 
see me, and was deeply distressed in mind and could not work. 

May 7 th, Saturday. Went to see James Alcott and Smith At- 
kins and wife. Met the two first on their way to see me. At 
Mr. Alcott's house several came in and I exhorted and prayed. 

Two days later he was sent for to go to the north-east 
part of the parish, where several were in great distress of 
mind. The whole parish was moved on this subject, — 
and why not ? Too long had the people been indifferent 
or greatly negligent as to these things. 

Among the names he mentions, of those greatly inter- 
ested at this time, are the Brockets, Lindsleys, Nortons, 
Ephraim Hall and wife, Orin Hall and wife, Anna Lewis, 
Lucius Tuttle, Jr., Maria Thomas, Mr. Bartholomew, and 
a number of others. 

On May i ith, they held their "first public prayer meet- 
ing in the Meeting house, and a considerable number 
present, and a most solemn and impressive meeting — 
many in tears — the prayers appropriate, and Deacon 
Isaac Bronson's address was most weighty, powerful, and 
awakening.'' 

Thus the church, after six years wandering in the wil- 
derness, returned to her allegiance to the mission for 
which she was sent. — to save men. Had the church been 
faithful, there had been no occasion for such excitement, 
as it was there was no other way to salvation. 

Mr. Scranton says, in his journal, March 23, 1828, "Be- 
gan a Bible class." This, I think, was on a week day eve- 
ning, and was additional to the Sunday-school which 
was held on the Sabbath, between services, Dr. William 
A. Alcott being superintendent. The school was organ- 
ized for the first time under a superintendent and other 
officers and teachers, during the summer of 1827. 

Deacon Iracl Bronson, now living in Bristol, thinks, this 
was not an organized school ; only two or three classes 
were organized with teachers, Dr. YVtn. A. Alcott assist- 



WITHOUT A PASTOR. IO9 

ing, particularly in collecting books for the pupils of tin- 
classes to read. Others think Dr. Alcott was regularly 

appointed superintendent ; for one of the class papers 
written by him is still preserved. These are the names: 
Ira H. Hough, Isaac Upson, Samuel Upson, Daniel H. 
Holt, Asaph Upson, Mahlon Hotchkiss, Leverette Al- 
cott, Ambrose B. Alcott, John E. Alcott. These were 
then boys from eight to twelve years old ; so says Mr. 
Ira H. Hough. This was class No. 3, taught by Lucius 
Tuttle, Jr., and afterward by L. C. Hotchkiss, who still 
holds the original class paper. 

By vote of the Society, Rev. Mr. Wheelock was en- 
gaged to preach " for the term of one year" from Sept. 1 1, 
1829 ; but in March next. 1830, they voted to " obtain 
from him the terms on which he is willing to settle with 
the Society for his past services and relinquish the con- 
tract for the future." To this he made a written reply, 
but the records do not show whether he continued long- 
er or not. The reason for this movement on the part of 
the Society, I apprehend to have been the difficulty of 
raising the salary of Mr. Wheelock, and that an arrange- 
ment was made by which he relinquished so much of that 
as to continue the time for which he engaged. The So- 
ciety and church were probably without a stated minis- 
ter from Sept., 1830, till August, 1831. On January 3r, 
1831, a subscription was started to raise money for a cupo- 
la and bell, to be attached to the Meeting house. This 
subscription, in the elegant " hand-writing" of Mr. Archi- 
bald Minor is preserved, and the spirit of it, in one re- 
spect, is worthy of perpetuation, and in another respect 
so peculiar that I copy it : 

•• Whereas, the inhabitants of the town of Wolcott, feeling desir- 
ous to have a hell in said town, do propose to build a cupola on the 
Congregational Meeting house in said Wolcott for the purpose of 
hanging said bell, provided a sufficient sum can be raised to de- 
fray the expenses of the same ; and wishing that if there be one 
provideJ it may be used for all denominations whatever, and that 



I IO 



HISTORY OF WOI.COTT 



the same shall be freely used whenever it may be necessary for 
the convenience of any and every individual of said town ; and 
hoping and trusting that a thing of this kind would be the means 
of uniting the people of this town rather than of dividing them ; 
it is therefore to be hoped and trusted that the inhabitants of this 
town generally will take so deep an interest in an object of this 
kind that they will cheerfully and liberally contribute to effect said 
object. The bell to be always considered the property of the 
Town of Wolcott, and the ringing of the same to be directed by 
the inhabitants of said town in their annual town meetings. The 
weight of the bell to be determined by the subscribers or by a 
committee by them appointed. 
WOLCOTT, January 31, 1831. 

Therefore, we whose names are underwritten do agree to pay 
the several sums annexed to our names, respectively for the at- 
tainment of the object as above specified, to be paid to him or 
them, whom the subscribers shall appoint for that purpose. 



NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS AND AMOUNT SUBSCRIBED. 



Moses Pond, 
Daniel Holt, 
Adna Whiting, 
Lucius Tuttle, 
A. & II . Roardman, 
Archibald Minor, 
Thomas Upson, 
Marvin Minor, 
Charles M. Upson, 
Freelove Upson, 
Caroline R. Byington, 
David Frisbie, 
John Bronson, 
Hannah Bronson, 
John Bronson, jr., 
Lua S. Carter, 
Luther Hotchkiss, 
Irad Bronson, 
James Alcott, 
James Alcott, jr., 
Anson G. Lane, 
Leveritt Kenea, 
John Thomas, 



525.00 


George Griswold, 


23.00 


Lydia Alcott, 


25 00 


Josiah Thomas, 


25.00 


Luther Andrews, 


15.00 


John S. Atkins, 


20.00 


Samuel Plumb, 


20.00 


Mercy Beecher, 


5.00 


Lud Lindsley, 


1. 00 


Esther R. Hotchkiss, 


2.00 


Rev. E. Scranton, 


2.00 


Almon Plumb, 


20.00 


Joseph N. Sperry, 


8.00 


George G. Alcott, 


50 


Wm. Blakeslee, 


5.00 


Wm. F. Curtiss, 


2.00 


Alben Alcott, 


20.00 


Lewis Churchill, 


5-00 


Mark Tuttle, 


16.00 


Simeon N. Norton, 


4.00 


Wm. Parker, 


5.00 


Ansel H. Plumb, 


10.00 


Reuben Carter, 


5.00 


Mark Alcox, 



5.00 
1. 00 

10.00 
5.00 
5-0O 
1. 00 
1. 00 

10.00 
2.00 
5.00 
1. 00 
5.00 
1. 00 
1. 00 
1. 00 
2.00 
1.00 
8.00 
2.00 
1. 00 
3.00 
5.00 
5.00 



WITIK 'I T A PASTOR. 



I I 1 



Nathaniel Lane. 2.00 

Levi Atkins, 3.00 

Samuel i Lorton, 5.00 

Moses Bradley, 5.00 

Win. R. Bradley, 2.00 

Eri Wehon, 5-oo 

Ira Hough, 20.00 

Scth Norton, 5.00 

Deiius [lull, 1.00 

JoclAlcox, 4.00 

Elijah Royce, 2.50 

Timothy Royce, 50 

Luther Bailey, 2.00 

Ilemv Beecher, 5.00 

Leonard Beecher, 7.00 

Titus Brockett, 5.00 

Salmon Upson, 3.00 

Cyrus C. Upson, 5.00 

Abner Holchkiss, 1.00 

Onin Hall, 400 

Erastus All ins, 3.C0 

Rollin Tuttle, 2.00 

Ziba Norton, 4.00 

Elihu Moulthrop, 10.00 

Mark Upson, 5.00 

Prosper Hull, 1.00 

Abram Norton, 3.00 

|< 1 n A Brady, i.eo 

Ephraim Hall, 5.00 

Wm. A. Finch, 2.00 

Selim Doolittle, 2.00 

Selah Upson, 8.co 

Reuben Lewis, 4.00 

Harvey Upson, 10.00 

Marshal Upson, 2.50 

Marcus Upson, 1.50 

Wm. Baitholomew, 10, co 

Isaac Bronson, 2.00 

Selh Peck, 1. 00 

Timothy H. Hotchkiss, 2.co 
Subscription for painting and cover 
L. Tuttle, jr., added ... 



Era Frisbie, to.oo 

John Frisbie, IO.OO 

Almus W.l 10.00 

Jonathan Bement, 15.00 

Erastus Nichols, 1.00 

1 (avid 1'ai 1 1.00 

Levi Frisbie, 4.00 

A -libel Upson, IO.OO 

Low 111 an Upson, 2.00 

Clark Bronson, 6.00 

Harley Downs, 1.00 

Isaac Alcott, 1.00 

Ransley Minor, 2.00 

Henry Harrison, 1.00 

Seth Thomas, 25.00 

Solomon Parker, 1.00 

Allen Wells, 1.00 

Ambrose Ives, 5.00 

Ransom Blakeslee, 1.00 

Martin Upson, 2.C0 

Alfred Churchill, 200 

Ives Brnii .011, 2 00 

Chester Andrews, 3.00 

Joshua Minor, 1.50 

Newel Minor, 1.00 

Miles Loveland. 3.00 

Fitch A. II iggins, 8.00 

Ilezekiah Mix, 1.00 

Royce Lewis, 1.00 

Samuel B. Tuttle, 5.00 

Pliny Bartholomew, 1.00 

Thomas Barnes, icco 

Susan Byington, 1.00 

Jerry Upson, 5.00 

John Beecher, 6.00 

James Bailey, 10.00 

Eldad Parker, 2.00 

Gates Upson, 5.00 

Almon Alcox, 3.00 

Truman Price, j.oo 
ing Meeting house, - - 51.00 

7.00 



Amount, $650.50 

In fifteen days this subscription was raised and the sub- 



112 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

scribers in assembly voted " to apply the balance of the 
subscriptions already obtained over and above the ex- 
pense of erecting cupola and procuring bell, towards 
covering and painting the house. Upon this the Society 
voted, " That we accept and approve of the proposals of 
the subscribers for the cupola to the Congregational Meet- 
ing house and placing a bell in the same, agreeable to 
the terms and upon the same principles as stated in the 
caption to the subscription paper now before the meeting. 
That the Society approve of the proposal of individuals 
and grant permission to have the outside of the house 
covered and painted, if the subscriptions shall furnish 
means sufficient. That the committee appointed by the 
subscribers to superintend the erection of the cupola, 
be authorized to superintend the covering, painting, etc." 
This committee consisted of Archibald Minor, Thomas 
Upson, Daniel Holt, Luther Hotchkiss, Adna Whiting. 
It is worthy of note that this project was carried on by 
the citizens as such, and not as members of the Society or 
church, and yet a very large part of the money came 
from members of the church. Why it was they would 
not do as well through the Society as through the Town 
I am unable to say ; but the fact is very evident, and 
to complete the whole, the Society gave its own work 
into the hands of the' special committee." 

On the 28th of June, 183 1, the contractor gave a re- 
ceipt in full for the pay for the work done on the house 
and cupola, $440. The bell, weighing 931 pounds, and the 
hangings cost at the foundry, Medway, Mass., $313.61. 
At the following Town meeting the cupola and bell 
were offered by the subscribers to the Town as Town 
property, but the Town refused to accept the same ; af- 
ter which the subscribers organized into a stock company, 



* In 1S26 the Society voted a tax to the amount of ninety dollars, for re- 
pairing and painting the house, but in 1S27 they rescinded the vote and 
gave up the work, having failed to raise the money. 



WINK H'T A PASTI »R. I 13 

appointed oflficers and held the property several years. 
It was finally given to the Society. The first bell became 
fractured soon after it was put up. It was returned to the 
foundry, and another sent in its place, according to the 
stipulations made by Mr. Ho^brook, the maker. It is be- 
lieved, to this day, that the first bell was not properly 
used. 

In August, Rev. Nathan Shaw was hired for four 
months, beginning 4th of July, previous ; and a vote was 
passed by the Society to apply to the Home .Missionary 
Society for aid in paying the minister. Eighty dollars 
were obtained and Mr. Shaw preached until July 4, 1832. 
He is said to have been a "very smart " preacher. 

In October, [832, the pews were offered for the first 
time, for rent for one year ; " to be sold to the highest bid- 
der, provided the sum bid amount to three hundred and 
twenty-five dollars, reserving the pew east of the pul- 
pit." One year from this time they were rented again. 

On the 1 2th of November, 1832, the committee were 
directed to " engage the Rev. David Smith for three Sab- 
baths." During the year 1.S33 there is no account of a 
minister being hired by the Society. Mr. Shaw may have 
preached part of the year and others the remainder ; 
the Home Missionary Society appropriated 80 dollars 
for 1833. On April 10th, 1834, they voted, that " this Soci- 
ety will settle a minister provided the means can be ob- 
tained." On the 2 1 st of the same month they voted 
"That the prudential committee be directed to wait on 
Rev. Seth Sackett and invite him to become our minister 
and that we on our part will pay him four hundred dollars 
yearly, and that at any time, either party giving six 
months' notice, the connection between them maybe dis- 
solved, without damage on either side." This proposition 
was not accepted, and Mr. Sackett preached two months 
and probably no longer. 

In [835 Rev. Wm. F. Vail was hired for one year, his 
term of service extending into the summer of 1836. 
9 



114 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Several persons, not members of the committee, per- 
sonally bound themselves for the payment of his sal- 
ary. They circulated a subscription and obtained what 
they could, and at the end of the year made up the whole 
amount that was wanting, by paying, each, an equal pro- 
portion of the deficiency. These are the names of the 
persons so uniting : Fitch Higgins, Jonathan Bement, 
Ephraim Hall, Orrin Hall, Reuben Carter, Luther Bailey, 
Joel Alcott, Lud Lindsley, Selah Upson, Noah H. Bying- 
ton, Lucius Tuttle. 

The committee were directed on the 4th of August, 
1837, to "hire Mr. Chapman six weeks after next Sab- 
bath, as a candidate for settlement," and in September 
they voted to invite Rev. James D. Chapman to settle 
with them " as a gospel minister," and this invitation being 
accepted, Mr. Chapman was " ordained Pastor of the 
church and Society of Wolcott, on the 25th day of Octo- 
ber, 1837," with a salary of "three hundred dollars and 
all that is realized from the Home Missionary Society, 
annually, so long as he shall continue our minister." 

The following is a list of those who subscribed for the 
support of the gospel in 1837, who were seated in the 
Meeting house according to their age : 

John Bronson, agL<l 102, July 16th. Rhoda Norton, 63, Nov. 6th. 

John Frisbie, 75, April 8th. James Alcott, 63, Dec. 5th. 

Nathaniel Lane, 73, May 4th, Levi Atkins, 62, Jan. 14th. 

Sarah Parker, 72, January 12th. Royce Lewis, 62, Feb. 1st. 

Theda Bailey, 72, May 7th. Ruth Johnson, 62, Feb. 1st. 

Samuel Plumb, 71, July 13th. Luther Andrews, 62, April 16th. 

Amy Tuttle, 70, March 14th. Josiah Thomas, 62, Sept. 10th. 
Mehitable Upson, 69, January 24th. John Bronson, Jr., 61, Jan. 31st. 

Samuel Gaylord, 69, June 12th. Joshua Minor, 61, May 9th. 

Lois Alcott, 68, April 6th. Selah Upson, 61, May 26th. 

H arvey Upson, 68, Nov. nth. Lydia Hall, 61, Aug. 14th. 

L ud Lindsley, 67, Sept. 24th. Moses Bradley, 60, Sept. 25th. 

Abner Hotchkiss, 66, May 24th. Luther Hotchkiss, 59, Dec. 17th. 

Hannah Bronson, 66, Aug. 2_)th. Elizabeth Alcott, 58, July 14th. 

Mark Alcott, 64, May nth. Titus Bracket, 58, Nov. 25th. 

John Thomas, 64, Dec. 9th. Elihu Moulthrop, 57, March 12th. 



WITHOUT A PASTOR. 



115 



Gates Upson, 57, July J 8th. 
David Scarritt, 56, Dec. 221I. 
Ziba Norton, 55, October 2d. 
Ira Hough, 54, March 7th. 
Wm. Bartholomew, 54, Nov. 13th 
Archibald Miner. 53, May 23d. 
Jonathan Bement, 52, August 2Sth. 
Thomas Upson, 52, Sept. 23d. 
Nathaniel G. Lewis, 51, April 2d. 
Clark Bronson, 51, Dec. 6th. 
Moses Pond, 50, January. 
Eldad Parker, 50, July 24th. 
Isaac Hotchkiss, 50, October. 
Olive Wiard, 48, January roth. 
Almon Alcott, 47, February 29th. 
Lucy S. Carter, 47, Dec. 2d. 
Freelove Upson, 46, Feb. 2d. 
Daniel Holt, 46, August. 
Stephen Harrison, 45, Sept. 20th. 
Amanda Perkins, 44, March 13th. 
Reuben Carter, 44, March 18th. 
Jedediah G. Alcott, 44, June 26th. 
Hannah Plumb. 43, February 12th. 
Lamburton Tolls, 43, August. 
John Beecher, 42. May 5th. 
Milo G. Hotchkiss, 42, June 13th. 
Marvin Miner, 42, August 19th. 
Stephen Meriman, 42, Sept. 20th. 
Flavins Norton, 42, Nov. 27th. 
Anson G. Lane, 41, March 19th. 
William Plumb, 41, July 29th. 
Orrin Hall, 40, October nth. 
L. L. Kenea, 39, June 21st. 
Leonard Beecher, 39, Now 27th. 
Ephraim Hall, 38, Sept. 15th. 
Nelson Tuttle, 38, Nov. 21st 
Florida Hickox, 37, March 7th. 
Chester Andrews, 37, Sept. 1st. 
Joseph N. Sperry, 37, Sept. 5th. 
Prosper Hull, 36, April 10th. 
Timothy Bradley, 36, May 22d. 
Alben Alcott, 36, October 5th. 
David S. Bailey, 35, July 21st. 
Mary Hotchkiss, 35, August nth. 
Abram Norton, 35, Sept. 15th. 



Ansel H. Plumb, 34, Jan. 6th 
Wm. B. Bradley, 34, August 13th. 
Salmon Upson, 34, Sept. 8th. 
Mark Tuttle, 34, October 2 1st. 
George Griswold, 34. 
Sylvia Thomas, 33, Feb. 15th 
Ira Frisbie, 33, March 28th. 
Alfred Churchill, 33, May 28th. 
Johnson Alcott, 33, Dec. 10th. 
Lydia Hotchkiss, 32, March 15th. 
Carlos R. Byington, 32, April 24th. 
Lucius Tuttle, Jr., 32, Sept. [7th. 
Luther Bailey, 31, July 10th. 
Eneas Blakeslee, Jr., 31, Aug. 10th. 
Wm. Blakeslee, 31, Oct. 22d. 
Charles Welton, 30. April 30th. 
L. M. Sutliff, 30, Sept. 15th. 
David Scarritt, 30, Dec. 28th. 
Anson H. Smith, 29, March 20th. 
Jarvis R. Bronson, 29, April 5th. 
Henry Beecher, 23, Jan. 24th. 
Lenas Tolls. 28, May. 
Charles Upson, 2S, June 4th. 
Benjamin Z. Lindsley, 28, July 31st. 
Noah H. Byington. 28, Sept. iSth. 
John Humiston, 28, Sept. 23d. 
Henry D. Upson, 28, Oct. 5th. 
Henry Harrison, 27, March. 
James W. Norton, 27, March 24th. 
Joel Alcott, 27, August 16th. 
Henry Minor, 27, December 17th. 
Levi Moulthrop, 26, Jan. 5th. 
Roxannah Perkins, 25, Feb. 13th. 
Augustus Rose, 25, May 25th. 
Isaac Hough, 25, Nov. 23d. 
Cyrus Wiard, 24, Jan. 13th. 
Wm. Johnson, 24, April 25th. 
George H. Plumb, 24, Oct. 15th. 
Levi Atkins, Jr.. 24. Nov. 5th. 
Henry A. Pond, 23, January 13th. 
David B. Frisbie, 23, June 17th. 
J. B. W., 23, June 23d. 
Ezra S. Hough, 23, August 9th. 
Joel A. Hotchkiss, 23, October 26th. 
Lucius Upson, 22, Feb. 13th. 



1 16 



HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 



Lucian Upson, 22, Feb. 13th. John C. Alcott, 17, March 24. 

Elihu Moulthrop, Jr., 21, March 16th. Wm. Wiard, 16, Dec. 10th. 
Hendrick Norton, 21, Dec. nth. Rachel Lindsley. 
Stiles L. Hotchkiss, 20, March 6th. Isaac Bronson. 
Mary Ann Wiard, 19, Nov. 10th. Mr. Higgins. 

Rufus Norton, iS, Feb. 18th. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE MINISTRY OF REV. JAMES D. CHAPMAN AND REV. 
AARON C. BEACH: FROM 1837 TO 185/. 

REV. JAMES D. CHAPMAN. 

Mr. Chapman's ministry was passed during troublesome 
times. The anti-slavery spirit was rising in the country 
and making itself felt in political issues. Wolcott was a 
strongly democratic town and Mr. Chapman was a strong 
anti-slavery man, and it was not long after his settlement 
that the conflicting elements gave forth their legitimate 
prophecies. In April, 1839, when Mr. Chapman had 
preached here but eighteen months, the Society "voted 
that a committee be appointed to confer with Rev. J. D. 
Chapman, with regard to the expediency of dissolving the 
pastoral relations existing between him and the Society." 
So strong was the sympathy .of some with the " peculiar 
institution " of the South that they adopted the barbar- 
ous expedient of despoiling their neighbors' property in 
order to intimidate them to silence. As a consequence, 
Mr. Chapman's horse was sheared, mane and tail, and 
also the horses of several other members of the church, 
and one member who had no horse had his cow sheared. 

The church was satisfied with Mr. Chapman, but seve- 
ral members of the Society, not members of the church, 
were very greatly opposed to him. The contest went on 
till the nth day of December, 1839, when the Meeting 
house was burned to the ground. It is said in charity 
that the burning of the house was in part accidental. A 
notice had been given for an anti-slavery meeting to be 
held in the Meeting house. The evening before this 



Il8 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

meeting was to take place, a quantity of powder was 
placed in the stove with a slow match attached, and a lit- 
tle after nine o'clock in the evening a heavy explosion 
was felt and heard by the people residing near the Meet- 
ing house ; but the cause they could not discover. 
About 12 o'clock in the night they were aroused by the 
cry of fire, and found the house all in flames, and it was 
soon a heap of ashes. The next day the anti-slavery 
meeting was held, and the people gathered around the 
smouldering ashes to keep warm while they were ad- 
dressed on the great subject of freedom. It is possible 
that the intention was not to burn the Meeting house, but 
to destroy the stove, and thus prevent the meeting ; for 
it is said that there was great opposition to having any 
stove in the house, and for this reason some wanted it 
destroyed. The first stove was put into the Meeting 
house about 1 815 and was used till near 1829, when it 
was set aside. The stove destroyed by the fire was a 
new one, and had been in the house about one month. 
This event made great excitement in the town and 
through the county. Some persons were arrested and 
held to trial, but when the trial came the principal wit- 
ness was wanting. This witness was well known, and 
declared that certain parties had told him that if he 
testified in the court against them they would certainly 
kill him. Believing this, he left the town just before the 
trial, and has never been seen in Wolcott since. These 
things are still asserted by several of the most trust- 
worthy persons of the town. This was the tribute that 
Wolcott paid in those early stages of the great conflict 
between slavery and freedom, a tribute which, though 
it seemed great at the time, was but a tithe of what it 
paid years after, in the conflict that closed, in 1865, in 
the realization of freedom to all the subjects of this 
nation without distinction of race or color. And it is to 
the highest honor of many in this town that, although 
they held strictly to the Democratic party, when the flag 



MINISTRY OF REV. JAMES D. CHAPMAN. I 19 

of the nation was dishonored by her own sons, they then 
buckled on the soldier's pack, marched to the war, and 
acquitted themselves like men. At the annual meeting 
held on the 26th of April, 1840, seventeen men withdrew 
from the First Society. They were the anti-slavery men, 
who had been true and faithful to the church and to 
church principles as maintained in the Congregational 
churches in New England. They were nearly, if not all, 
communicants, and among them was Deacon Isaac Bron- 
son, the great and good man of this church. 

When these persons had withdrawn, being strong 
friends of Rev. Mr. Chapman, and on the same side of 
the great question at issue, the Society at once "voted 
that the Society hereby notify the Rev. James D. Chap- 
man that they wish that the pastoral relation may be 
dissolved between him and this Society agreeably to the 
contract entered into between him and this church and 
Society at the time of his settlement."" 

An effort was made at this meeting, 26th of April, to 
raise a subscription to build a Meeting house, but did not 
succeed. On the 16th of May next they met again, and 
put forth the following statement as the heading of a 
subscription paper : 

Whereas, the Congregational Society in the town of Wolcott 
have suffered a severe loss in the destruction of their house of 
public worship, inasmuch as they have been deprived of a suit- 
able and convenient place to assemble for the public worship of 
God ; and whereas certain individuals who have formerly belonged 
to said Society have withdrawn from the same, thereby rendering 
said Society, whose strength has always been small, still more en- 
feebled ; and whereas it is believed that the erection of a house 
of public worship by said Society will greatly tend to unite the 
feelings and promote that peace and harmony throughout the 
parish which ought ever to exist amongst all ecclesiastical bodies; 
and whereas said Society are contemplating the erection of such 



* The contract was that the relation between the parties should be dis- 
solved on condition that either party give six months noti< e. 



120 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

a house, and feeling in their present circumstances the necessity 
of soliciting the aid of all those who feel desirous of promoting so 
laudable an object; therefore we, the undersigned, for the purpose 
of assisting said Society to build said house, hereby promise to 
pay, on demand, to the treasurer of said Society, or his successors 
in said office, the several sums set opposite our respective names, 
to be used by said Society for the purpose aforesaid. 

Fifteen men were appointed to circulate this subscrip- 
tion paper, and on the 20th of June they had succeeded 
so far that the Society held a meeting and appointed the 
following persons a building committee: Joseph N. 
Sperry, Marvin Miner, Ira Hough, Ira Frisbie, and Levi 
Moulthrop. "The house, including portico, to be 52 feet 
long ; main body of the house 46 feet long by 36 feet 
wide ;. length of posts, 20 feet." 

This effort to build a Meeting house did not bring back 
those persons who had withdrawn, and on the 10th of 
July, 1840, a Second Congregational Society. of Wolcott 
was organized. Under these circumstances a Council was 
called, consisting, of the " whole Consociation." The 
church united in calling the Council because the Society 
demanded the dismission of the pastor. On the 9th of 
November, 1840, — probably the day on which Mr. Chap- 
man was dismissed, — the church, at a church meeting, 
took the following action : " Voted unanimously that we 
are well satisfied with the Rev. James D. Chapman as a 
gospel minister, both as to his preaching and personal 
deportment, and are desirous that the pastoral relation 
might be continued, but as the persons who now consti- 
tute the Society over which he was installed are anxious 
for his dismission, we reluctantly consent to it ; provided 
the Rev. Consociation shall judge it meet and proper." 

The Council met apparently on the 9th of November, 
1840, and passed the following remarkable but just and 
high-toned declaration : 

" Whereas, there have existed various difficulties in the church 
and Ecclesiastical Society in Wolcott, which have led to the form- 



MINISTRY OF REV. JAMES D. CHAPMAN. 121 

ation of distinct congregations for public worship ; and whereas, 
the Consociation has been requested to act on the case, in which 
request both parties have acquiesced ; and whereas, the interests 
of religion must be seriously injured in the place by their contin- 
ued separate existence ; and whereas, the Consociation anticipate 
no good result from investigation into difficulties complicated and 
of so long standing, which it would be impossible now wholly to 
settle ; therefore 

Resolved, That as in the opinion of Consociation, a union 
of these two bodies may take place without any sacrifice of 
principle by either of them, a union ought therefore to take 
place on the basis of the following great principles and stipula- 
tions, to be solemnly assented to and forever faithfully observed 
by the parties herein before mentioned: — 

The church, in Congregational usage, is a body distinct and 
independent of the Ecclesiastical Society, and as such, should in 
the settlement of a pastor, give a separate vote to be concurred in 
by the Society, if the Society see fit ; and moreover, may for suf- 
ficient reasons separate from the Society; but the separation 
never should take place except in peculiar emergencies and after 
seeking counsel of Consociation or the neighboring churches. 

It is a cardinal principle that every pastor has a right to discuss 
in his pulpit those subjects, moral and religious, the discussion of 
which will in his judgment promote the cause of the Redeemer, 
and that it is an unreasonable and dangerous infringement on his 
right, for his church or Society to dictate to him, while their pas- 
tor, what moral and religious subjects he shall or shall not discuss ; 
while we full}' admit not only that the exercise of this right 
should be governed by discretion and wise regard to the interests 
of religion in the community, but also that a church or Society if 
they deem themselves aggrieved by indiscreet and improper dis- 
cussion in the pulpit may seek redress, but only by the regular 
iastical and civil processes. 
The above principles of Congregationalism are fully established 
and admitted, which no Congregational church or Society can 
violate without injustice to others and unfaithfulness to their de- 
nominational obligations. 

We. therefore, the Congregational church and Society in Wol- 
cott, do hereby solemnly admit these principles and express our 



122 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

fixed intention to abide by them. We also acknowledge it to be 
the sacred right of all individuals to enjoy, undisturbed, their own 
views in respect to Moral Reform, Anti-slavery, Temperance, 
and kindred subjects, and that we will not disturb, and will use 
our influence to prevent others from disturbing, any public meet- 
ing held for the discussion of these subjects. 

Resolved, That on the above principles and stipulations we 
will unite in good faith as one Society in finishing fche House of 
Worship which has been commenced on the site of the former 
house, and endeavor hereafter to support the gospel therein in 
peace and harmony, it being mutually understood that said house 
shall be opened for the discussion of the above mentioned sub- 
jects whenever it shall be requested by a majority of the Church." 

Upon this arrangement between the Society and the 
church, the pastor was dismissed with the full confidence 
of the church and Council, and the church and Society 
entered upon their engagement to complete the Meeting 
house. 

During Mr. Chapman's first year of labor twenty-one 
persons united with the church, most of them by profes- 
sion, so that the condition of the church and the congre- 
gation was prosperous and hopeful ; and had the Society, 
or rather certain members of it, conducted themselves 
according to the Congregational principles which they 
finally bound themselves to obey', there would have been 
little if any of this difficulty. 

This conflict of opinion was not peculiar to Wolcott, 
but occurred in many communities in the nation. It 
resulted from the persistent effort of a political party 
striving to please slaveholders, by intimidation and by 
formal attacks upon the faith and freedom of the gospel, 
as maintained by a very large portion of the Christian 
people of the nation. 

REV. AARON C. BEACH'S MINISTRY. 

During the interval between Mr. Chapman's dismission 
and the employment of Mr. Beach, the Rev. Zephaniah 



.MINISTRY OF REV. AARON C. BEACH. 1 23 

Swift supplied the pulpit from nine months to one year, 
and seems to have given good satisfaction as a minister. 
Mr. Aaron C. Beach preached his first sermon in Wolcott 
on December 19, 1 841 , in the Center School House. On 
the 6th of September, previous, the Society voted to hold 
their meetings in the Meeting house, but it is probable, 
that as the Meeting house was not finished inside, and as 
there was no way to warm it sufficiently in December, 
they held their meetings in the school house. Mr. Beach 
was engaged to preach six months, at the end of which 
time he received a unanimous call to become the pastor. 

He was ordained by New Haven West Consociation, on 
the 22d day of June, 1842. The members of Consociation 
present were : Rev. Zephaniah Swift, Rev. John E. Bray, 
Rev. Jason Atwater, Rev. Anson Smith. The delegates 
were : Brothers Eben Hotchkiss, of Prospect ; Eli Dick- 
erman, of East Plains ; Nathaniel Richardson, of Middle- 
bury ; Amos R. Hough, of Mt. Canned ; George W. 
Shelton, of Derby; Andrew W. De Forest, of Hum- 
phreysville ; Deacon Lucian I 7 . Lewis, of Naugatuck. 

Rev. Z. Swift was chosen moderator and Rev. A. 
Smith, scribe. Revs. S. W. S. Dutton, of New Haven, 
and E. Lyman, of Plymouth, being present, were invited 
to sit as corresponding members, and after the examina- 
tion the ordination services were arranged as follows : 
Mr. Lyman to offer the introductory prayer, Mr. Dutton 
to preach the sermon, Mr. Bray to offer the ordaining 
prayer, Mr. Swift to offer the right hand of fellowship, 
and Mr. Atwater to address the people and offer the con- 
cluding prayer. The services were held in the Meeting 
house, under the "naked rafters," at 11 o'clock on 
Wednesday, June 22d, 1842. Mr. Beach graduated at 
Yale College, in 1835, was licensed to preach in 1838, and 
remained connected with Yale Theological Seminary till 
near the time when he began to preach in Wolcott. He 
had a wife and one child when he came here, and resided 
three or four years in the house which Mr. Keys had for- 



124 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

merly occupied. After his settlement, the first great work 
was to finish the Meeting house, which had already been 
in process of building nearly two years. It was com- 
pleted January 18th, 1843, an d dedicated the next day, 
and has been a very comfortable and commodious house 
to the present time. During the year 1843 fifteen per- 
sons united with the church, and affairs presented a more 
promising and hopeful appearance than for some years 
before. Mr. Beach says of his labors here : " No exten- 
sive revival of religion occurred while I was in Wolcott, 
but more than once we enjoyed a pleasant season of 
quickened religious interest, which resulted in additions 
to the church at different times." Forty-four names were 
added to the list of members while he labored here ; the 
church and Society worked together in great harmony, 
and the way was prepared for better days. 

A very important work was accomplished by Mr. Reach 
in building the house now owned as a parsonage. He 
built it for himself, but when he closed his labors here 
the Society purchased it of him. The ground around it, 
about four acres, was given to him for the purpose of a 
home, and a hard piece of land it was. There were more 
than four acres of stones to be disposed of before much 
soil could be found. Money and work were contributed 
by the parish, — some say, over a thousand dollars in 
money, besides the work ; but often such matters are 
over-estimated. Mr. Beach put in money of his own, to 
the amount of twelve hundred dollars, and when he left 
there was a debt of five hundred dollars, which the Society 
accepted, and on this condition Mr. Beach sold them the 
house. It is a good house, commodious, and pleasantly 
located, and there would be pleasure in the thought of 
the accomplishment of so good an object, but for the 
little item that somebody "paid too dear for his whistle."' 
When they began to build this house, the house that Mr. 
Woodward had owned, with ten acres of land, and very 
commodious out buildings, was for sale at the low price 



MINISTRY OF REV. AARON C. BEACH. 125 

of seven hundred dollars. The choice to-day between 
that and the parsonage would be in favor of the former. 
If that had been purchased, Mr. Beach might have saved 
his $1,200, and the Society its $500, and then put that 
in repair with the extra money over $700 and the labor 
expended on the parsonage grounds. 

MR. BEACH DISMISSED. 

At a church meeting held May 10th, 1857, the "church 
having appointed Deacon A. H. Plumb chairman, re- 
ceived a communication from their pastor, requesting the 
church to unite with him in calling the Consociation for 
the purpose of dissolving his relation to them as their 
pastor." This communication was as follows : — 

•May 10, 1857. 
To the Congregational Church of Wolcott : 

Beloved : It is not without pain and sadness that I separate 
myself from such tried and faithful friends as you have been to 
me and mine, in health and sickness, in joy and sorrow, these fif- 
teen years. But the serious and growing inadequacy of my salary 
constrains me to ask, and I do hereby ask, you to unite with me 
in calling the Consociation to dissolve my relations to you as 
your pastor. Affectionately, your fellow disciple, 

AARON C. P.EACH." 

Upon the reception of this letter the church voted to 
"grant said request, and accordingly appointed Deacon 
Orrin Hall a delegate to the said Consociation whenever 
it shall be convenient for that purpose."' 

DOINGS OF CONSOCIATION. 

At a special meeting of the Consociation of New Haven West, 
held at Wolcott, May 27th, 1857, there were present the follow- 
ing pastors and delegates : 

Wolcott, A. C. Beach, pastor, Deacon Orrin Hall, delegate; 
Waterbury, P. YV. Carter, delegate ; Naugatuck, C. Sherman, pas- 
tor, Bro. David Hopkins, delegate; Oxford, S. Topliff, pastor; 
Woodbridge. J. Guernsey, pastor, Bro. Nelson Newton, delegate ; 



126 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Hamden E. Plains, Deacon Eli Dickerman, delegate; Hamden, 
Mt. Carmel, Bro. Lucius Ives, delegate ; Seymour, Bro. W. H. 
Tuttle, delegate. 

Mr. Topliff was appointed moderator, and C. S. Sherman, 
scribe. 

After full inquiry and discussion, Consociation voted unani- 
mously that the pastoral relation between Rev. A. C. Beach and 
the Congregational Church and Society in Wolcott be dissolved, 
the dissolution to take place on the 2 2d proximo. In coming to 
this result. Consociation express their conviction of the self-de- 
nying work of Bro. Beach, in laboring fifteen years, under the 
embarrassments of an inadequate temporal support, to preach 
the gospel to this people, raising up men and women for useful- 
ness in other places to which they have been constantly emigra- 
ting, and preparing saints here for heaven. We sympathize with 
him in the necessity of leaving a still warmly attached church and 
people. We sincerely commend him to the ministry and churches 
as an able and faithful minister. With this church and Society, 
in their destitute circumstances, we also heartily sympathize, bear- 
ing witness to their self-denying efforts to sustain the gospel 
among themselves. We pray the Great Head of the Church that 
the way may be opened, the means of support supplied, and a 
faithful servant of Christ be sent to them, and this place not be 
left waste, or the people be scattered as sheep having no shepherd. 

Attest: C. S. SHERMAN, Scribe. 

The above statements were very true as to the sacri- 
fice and efforts on the part both of pastor and people to 
sustain the preaching" of the gospel in this place. Those 
were the years of emigration from Wolcott. The build- 
ing of the church was a heavy work for the people, and 
after the best that could be done in raising money to pay 
for it, there was a debt of $3SO, which they tried to liqui- 
date in the autumn of 1843, but whether they succeeded 
or not we are not told. In 1846 they took up the subject 
of procuring a bell, in which they seem to have been 
successful, partly by the sale of the bell metal of the old 
bell which melted when the church was burned, and by 
a special subscription. 



MINISTRY OF REV. AARON C. BEACH. 127 

In 1847 they took up the work of procuring a parson- 
age, and voted that subscription papers be circulated for 
this purpose, but they did not succeed. In 1848 they 
voted to "issue subscription papers to raise $750, for the 
purpose of buying," for a parsonage, "the place' now 
owned by Mrs. Finch, provided the amount be raised." 
But they did not succeed in getting the parsonage. 
Then, in 1849, we find another special subscription for 
the purpose of paying $100, "arrearages." 

The efforts to secure a parsonage having failed, Mr. 
Beach engaged in building a house for himself, which he 
finished in good style ; but alas, when he proposed to sell 
it, the Society could hot refund the money he had put 
into it ; for, to assume the five hundred dollars debt was 
all they could do, and that cost them many years of hard 
labor and sacrifice to pay. 

Thus closed the labors of Rev. Aaron C. Beach, as 
pastor in Wolcott. 



CHAPTER IX. 

REV. STEPHEN ROGERS', REV. LENT S. HOUGH'S, AND 
REV. W. C. FISK'S MINISTRY : FROM 1 858 TO 1 872. 

REV. STEPHEN ROGERS. 

In the Spring of 1858, Rev. Z. B. Burr, of Weston, 
Conn., received a " call" from this church and Society, 
but a settlement was not secured with him. In January, 
1859, a call was extended to Rev. Stephen Rogers, and in 
February next the Society concurred in the call, and he 
was installed, the Society Records say, on the 7th of 
March, 1859, Dut tne Church Records, a copy of the 
scribe's paper of the proceedings of Consociation, says 
the 25th day of March, 1859. Probably the latter is cor- 
rect. 

Members of the Consociation and other churches invi- 
ted, who took part in the exercises of installation, were 
as follows : (The list of ministers and delegates present 
is not preserved.) 

Rev. Austin Putnam, moderator ; Rev. E. W. Robinson, 
scribe. 

Invocation, by Rev. Geo. Bushnell; Sermon by Rev. Jas. Averil ; 
Installation Prayer, by Austin Putnam ; Charge to the Pastor, 
by Rev. Charles S. Sherman ; Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. 
Alexander D. Stowel ; Address to the People, by Rev. E. W. 
Robinson ; Concluding Prayer, by Rev. E. C. Jones ; Benedic- 
tion, by the pastor. 

Mr. Rogers came from Northfield, and was a man ad- 
vanced in life, of precarious health, but of noble spirit 
and of devoted mind. He found a quiet, peaceful parish, 



MINISTRY OF REV. STEPHEN ROGERS. 12-j 

a good parsonage to live in, and a warm-hearted, working 
church. It must be noticed here that during the year 
1858 the church was greatly revived under the preaching 
of Rev. Joseph Smith, who was engaged some months as 
a supply. I find no mention of him in the records of 
either church or Society, but he was a Methodist local 
preacher, not engaged regularly in the Conference of 
that denomination, and resided in or near Birmingham.* 
During the year 1858, thirty-nine persons united with 
the church by profession, quite a number of whom re- 
main to this day devoted and trustworthy members. 
Most of these persons united in May, 1858, but it is prob- 
able that Mr. Smith began to preach in the summer or 
autumn of 1857, and continued during the following win- 
ter, it being a time of general religious interest in the 
parish. Mr. Rogers came here less than a year after 
these thirty-nine persons (at one time) united with the 
church, and had the comforting advantage of a church 
wide awake in religious things. He did well, considering 
his state of health, and is remembered with great kind- 
ness by the people of the parish. The following commu- 
nication received by the church explains the difficult}- of 
parish work to him, and the cause of the dissolution of 
the pastoral relation. 

MR. ROGERS' LETTER. 
To the Church and Society of Wqlcott : 

Beloved Brethren ami Friends: — God in his alhvise provi- 
dence has for a long time visited me with sickness, rendering me 
incapable of performing all the duties that are expected of one 
having the pastoral relation; and, as there is no reasonable prospect 
of seasonable returning health, I feel constrained for your good 
and my own, to ask that the relation existing between myself and 
the church and Society be dissolved, to take effect the 18th of 

* Rev. Mr. Smith is now (1874) a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Conference, and is a successful minister in his denomination. He is 
preaching in Derby, Conn. 
10 



[30 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

April next. Grateful for the friendly relations that have existed 
between us from the first to this day, and for the sympathy and 
!;indness manifested to me through all the months of trial through 
which I have been called to pass ; greatly desiring the prosperity 
of the church and Society, and the re-establishment of the pas- 
toral relation, and that you may enjoy and abound in all the bles- 
sings of the Spirit, is the prayer of your unworthy servant. 

STEPHEN ROGERS. 
Wolcott, Conn., Sept 6, 1862. 

ACTION OF THE CHURCH. 

Wolcott, Sept. 6, 1862. 

Church voted unanimously to accept the above request. 

Voted, that we as a church deeply sympathize with our pastor, 
Rev. Stephen Rogers, in his protracted illness and inability to 
preach the gospel. And further that we have full confidence in 
his Christian character and integrity as a minister of the gospel 
and that we cheerfully recommend him to any church wherever 
in the providence of God he may be called. 

The Society concurred in a vote to accede to Mr. 
Rogers' request for a dismissal by Consociation, and it 
is probable that he was regularly dismissed, though I 
find no record to that effect."" 

Mr. Rogers removed to Woodbury, Conn., where he de- 
parted this life a few weeks after reaching that place. 

REV. LENT S. HOUGH. 

Rev. Lent S. Hough came to Wolcott in the Spring of 

* Mr. Rogers donated to the church a library of about a hundred and 
thirty volumes, consisting chiefly of standard theological works The idea 
of writing a history of Wolcott was first suggested to the author while ex- 
amining a book in this library, entitled Hay-ward's New England Gazetteer. 
This book contains an account of Wolcott, but makes no allusion to the 
church, — as though it were a heathen community, or one in which the 
preaching of the gospel had been discontinued. The author was thus led 
to make special inquiry respecting the religious history of the town, and 
the present volume is largely occupied with the results of his investigations. 
If it were not for the strange omission in the Gazetteer, the history of Wol- 
cott might never have been written. 



MINISTRY OF REV. LENT S. HOUGH. 1 3 1 

1863. Mr. Rogers closed his labors on the 18th of April, 
ami on the 27th of the same month the Society voted 
to raise three hundred and twenty-five dollars for the 
purpose of hiring " Rev. L. S. Hough to preach for one 
year, and that the salary should be paid semi-annually." 
On the 4th of Ma)-, following, the Society voted "to in- 
vite Rev. L. S. Hough to serve as acting pastor of this 
Society, and that we invite the church to unite with us in 
the request." There is no record of any action by the 
church. In the Society vote there is no mention of the 
time for which he was engaged, nor of the terms upon 
which he was to continue with them. Mr. Hough came 
from Westfield Society, in the town of Middletown, 
where he had been a settled pastor for seventeen years. 
The letter he brought with him from that Society shows 
the appreciation of him by that people. It is as follows : 

The Fourth Congregational Church of Middletown, to the Congregational 
Church at ll'oleolt, Conn : 

Beloved Brethren : — This is to certify that the Rev. Lent S. 

Hough and Hannah S. his wife, are esteemed members of the 

Fourth Congregational Church in Middletown, in good and regular 

standing; and having signified their wish to remove their particular 

relations from us to yourselves, they are hereby recommended to 

your special care and fellowship, and when they shall be received 

into membership with you their particular connection with us will 

be considered as dissolved. Hoping that our beloved late pastor 

will find among you warm hearts and kind friends, and a liberal 

support, both in temporal and spiritual things, we recommend 

him, dear brethren, to your special love. And may his labors be 

as faithful and as successful with you as they have been with us, 

and may your prayers ever follow him, as ours certainly will, 

through all the troubles and trials he may still be called to pass 

before he shall finally reach his heavenly rest. 

In behalf of the church, 

HENRY CORNWELI., Clerk: 
Middletown, May 4, 1863. 

Thus introduced, Mr. Hough went forward with the 
success of former pastors in this church, for three years, 



132 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT; 

during which time nineteen persons united with the 
church, and other interests were proportionately prosper- 
ous. I am informed, however, that during the summer 
of 1866 he manifested great discouragement in regard 
to the religious condition of the church, and seemed 
ready to seek some other field of labor. It was during 
this summer that Deacon Samuel Holmes, of New York, 
with his family, made his home in this parish for a few 
months ; a fact that will be remembered with gladness 
for many years to come. The larger part of the time 
had passed before Mr. Hough became really acquainted 
with Mr. Holmes, for as he said afterward, he supposed 
Mr. Holmes was one of the city people, and would 
scarcely take notice of a country pastor or his flock. 
Early in the autumn, while the church was still in a tor- 
pid state, and after Mr. Hough had passed through sev- 
eral attacks of illness, accompanied with most acute 
pain, he gave expression publicly to his feeling of de- 
spondency, and added that if any one present had any 
word of encouragement or exhortation he would be glad 
to have him speak. Upon this, Deacon Holmes arose, 
took his position by the table in front of the pulpit, and, 
referring to the pastor's feeling of discouragement, ex- 
pressed the conviction that if efforts were put forth in 
cheerful hope, better days would dawn in Wolcott. To 
test the matter, he proposed that as the evenings were 
becoming longer, and the people had passed through the 
hurry of farm work, they should come together in a 
prayer meeting at a private house during the week. 
This proposal was eagerly adopted by Deacon Ansel H. 
Plumb, who invited them to his house. Between that 
day and the evening of the meeting, Deacon Holmes 
conversed with three young men on the subject of per- 
sonal religion. He found one of them cherishing a hope, 
and the other two anxious in regard to their spiritual 
state. He persuaded them to come to the Thursday 
evening prayer meeting and state there what they had 



MINISTRY OF REV. LENT S. HOUGH. 133 

told him. When the evening came and the meeting 
was opened, Mr. Holmes made a few remarks, and 
called upon the young men to take up their cross. 
After they had spoken, there was no lack of interest in 
the meeting, nor in subsequent meetings of the church, 
for several months. For some few weeks, while Dea- 
con Holmes remained in the place, regular prayer meet- 
ings were held, and sometimes special meetings, which 
resulted in the conversion of a number of persons. 
When Mr. Holmes left, he had engaged J. D. Potter, 
the "evangelist," to hold meetings here for one week, 
which engagement was fulfilled at the time with good suc- 
cess. The result was that at the first communion in 1867, 
on January 6th, twenty-seven persons united with the 
church, and at the next communion four more. This 
success in the church revived the courage of Mr. Hough 
for a time, but he still felt inclined to find another parish, 
and offered his resignation to that effect, but it was not 
accepted. Again, in the beginning of 1869, he offered his 
resignation, and it was at once accepted by the officers of 
the church, without calling a meeting either of the church 
or of the Society. This method of doing business by the 
officers, gave dissatisfaction to man)- ; but it is said by 
the officers that the agreement with Mr. Hough was that 
" upon his giving a certain timely notice, he was to be 
allowed to go." It will be readily seen that if any per- 
sons were to vote, those who called him, or the Society, 
should have clone it ; so that the method adopted was 
clearly contrary to Congregational rules and usages. 

A COMMUNION SERVICE. 

In the year 1864, the church was the recipient of a 
valuable present, which will be cherished by it, proba- 
bly for the next century at least, and the following en- 
try in the Records explains itself : 

At a meeting of the Congregational Church in Wolcott, duly 
held on this 18th day of April, 1S64. it being the 70th birthday 



134 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

anniversary of our much esteemed friend, widow Wealthy H.. Ives, 
of Waterbury, formerly of this town ; there was presented from 
her to this church as a birthday free-will offering, an exceedingly 
rich and valuable communion service. Whereupon, it was voted : 
That we gratefully receive the highly prized offering, and tender 
to the kind donor our heartfelt thanks for it, hoping that in min- 
istering to others she may be ministered to from on high, abun- 
dantly, and that finally she may meet all the recipients of her 
bounty in the general assembly of the church in heaven. 

Mrs. Ives was born in Wolcott, and was the daugh- 
ter of Charles Upson, Esquire, for many years one of the 
most influential men of the town.* 

In 1867, Feb. 28th, the church voted unanimously " to 
donate our old communion service, not now used, to the 
Congregational church in Allegan County, Michigan." 

REVISED ARTICLES OF FAITH. 

On the 1st of February, 1865, a committee was ap- 
pointed to revise the Articles of Faith and Covenant, 
consisting of Rev. L. S. Hough, Deacon A. H. Plumb, B. 
A. Lindsley, S. L. Hotchkiss, and Deacon L. B. Bron- 
son. They made their report at the next communion, 
and the revised Articles and Covenant were adopted, 
and were afterward printed, together with a list of the 
ministers and deacons, and the surviving members of the 
church. The old articles were twelve in number, and 
were Calvinistic in their doctrinal statements ; the new 
or revised articles are eight in number, and have not the 
slightest tincture of Calvinism in them. The wording of 
these articles, however, is so obscure that it is difficult 
to discern what doctrines are intended to be taught. 
The rules of the church, as published in this " Manual," 
are peculiar in this respect, that members are received 
without vote, on the negative condition that no one 
publicly objects. 

* See Biogiaphy of Dr. Ives. Mrs. Ives died November 2ist, 1S68, in 
the seventy-fifth year of her age. 



MINISTRY OF REV. WARREN C. FISKE. 1 35 

Mr. Hough closed his labors in the Spring of 1869, and 
went to Salem, Conn., where he preached sixteen months. 
He then settled in Lyme, where after three years he is 
still successfully at work, notwithstanding the severe and 
peculiar afflictions experienced by himself and family. 

During Mr. Hough's labors in Wolcott, important re- 
pairs were made on the Meeting house, inside and out- 
side, and a cabinet organ was purchased to aid in the 
singing. The money for these improvements was secured, 
mostly, by the Ladies' Sewing Society of the congre- 
gation, and, as is often the case, the number of ladies 
engaged in the work of the Sewing Society was no'. 
large. 

REV. WARREN C. FISKE. 

The officers of the Society, having dismissed Mr. Hough 
without a vote of the Society or the church, proceeded in 
like manner to hire another minister. They secured Rev. 
Warren C. Fiske, of Barkhamstead, a good pastor and 
preacher. It is possible that the committee proceeded 
in this manner without intending any violation of Con- 
gregational order, but it is difficult to see how they 
could proceed in this manner, when it was well known 
that there was much dissatisfaction in the parish in con- 
sequence of their dismissal of Mr. Hough. Mr. Fiske 
came to Wolcott in May, 1869, and continued to serve 
the church very acceptably for three years, and then, 
at his own pleasure, closed his labors, with the intention 
not to take charge of a parish again, — for a time, at least. 

The year 1870 was the one hundredth year of the organi 
zation of the parish Society, and in that year should have 
been held the centenary meeting ; but as far as I have 
learned, no one thought of it or proposed such a meet- 
in< r .' : ' 



*If some persons were so capable of conducting such a 111 
they represented themselves t<> be in 1873, why did they not show a speci 
mer of their skill in 1870? 



136 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

No special revival occurred during Mr. Fiske's la- 
bors, yet the church kept up its meetings regularly, and 
attended to all the usual interests with earnestness and 
fidelity. The people speak in high terms of Mr. Fiske, 
his excellent wife, and agreeable family. He preached 
as he was able, in the school houses, but being subject to 
sudden attacks of a bronchial ailment, could not do as he 
otherwise would, in the work of preaching. He removed 
from Wolcott to Charlton, Mass., where he now resides, 
preaching only occasionally, being without regular pas- 
toral work. 

REV. SAMUEL ORCUTT 

commenced his services in this parish as stated supply, 
July 1st, 1872, and as to his labors, this book, including 
the account of the Centenary meeting, must bear its 
testimony. He preached three Sabbaths as supply, with- 
out any purpose of continuing here. But on learning 
from -the records that 1873 was the one hundredth year 
of the existence of the church organization, the idea 
of holding a Centenary meeting arose in his mind and 
became a special attraction, because of the great pleasure 
he takes in historic study. In regard to that meeting, 
he has but one regret, namely, that in consequence of 
the restricted notions of a few brethren in the church, he 
was obliged to omit several items which would have 
given greater interest to that very successful and long 
to be remembered gathering. 

During his second year, the Meeting house was re- 
paired, outside and inside, at a cost of over two hun- 
dred dollars, and chairs, tables, and a sofa were placed 
in the Meeting house and in the parsonage, to the value 
of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, besides a beauti- 
ful and durable clock, donated by Deacon Charles 
Benedict, of Waterbury, through the agency of George 
Bridgeman, Esq., of Wolcott, lately deceased. A large 
proportion of the funds to purchase this furniture was so- 
licited by the kind favor of Miss Mary E. Cook, of the 



MINISTRY OF REV. SAMUEL ORCUTT. 137 

First Church in Watcrbury. and was presented to the 
church through Mrs. Henry Minor and Mrs. Elihu Moul- 
throp, of Wolcott. Mr. Kphraim Hall contributed twenty- 
five dollars toward this fund ; the remainder was raised 
by subscription in sums of five dollars and under. 

Preaching services have been held in each of the six 
School Districts in the parish ; and the whole number of 
sermons preached in the eighteen months, preceding 
January 1st, 1S74, was two hundred and sixty, being an 
average of three and one-third a week for that time ; and 
while thus preaching, the duties of Acting School Visitor 
have been faithfully attended to. Much time and labor 
were bestowed, meanwhile, upon preparations for the 
Centenary meeting, and also upon the pleasing task of 
collecting materials for this history, and preparing it for 
the press. 

The church has received aid from the Connecticut 
Home Missionary Society during the last forty-six years 
as follows : 



IS2S, 


$50. 


[843, 


$100. 


1852, 


$100. 


i860, 


$125. 


1829, 


80. 


1844, 


100. 


1853, 


100. 


l86l, 


125. 


1831, 


70. 


1845- 


100. 


1S54, 


100. 


1862, 


125- 


[832, 


40. 


1846, 


100. 


1855, 


100. 


1863, 


IOO. 


1833: 


80. 


1847, 


iS°- 


1856, 


125. 


1864, 


i75- 


1836, 


75- 


1848, 


100. 


1857, 


I2 5- 


1872, 


IOO. 


1838, 


75- 


1849, 


100. 


1858, 


100. 


1873, 


200. 


1842, 


i5°- 


1850, 


100. • 


1859, 


IOO. 


1874, 


200. 



The whole amount thus received being three thousand 
four hundred and eighty dollars, a sum for which all the 
people feel grateful, and which reflects great honor on 
the Missionary Society. 

The Society has a small fund left to it by legacy, the 
interest of which is used for the support of the gospel in 
the parish. The following resolution was passed by the 
Society in regard to a part of this fund, in April, i860, but 
whether that was the date of the reception of the same 
does not appear : 



138 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Resolved, That the legacy of one hundr.ed dollars left by Major 
Preserve W. Carter for the Congregational Society of Wolcott, 
constitute a permanent fund to be kept for the benefit of said So- 
ciety, in the Waterbury Savings Bank, until further action of said 
Society ; the income to be appropriated for the support of the 
gospel. 

The sum of two hundred and fifty dollars was given by 
Judge Bennet Bronson, of Waterbury, the income of 
which is used for the support of the gospel. 

In addition to these items of aid, it is a fact that in 
order to maintain the gospel in the parish, the members 
of the church are paying yearly a sum equal to one and 
one-eighth per cent, on their assessment in the grand 
list, a sum much larger in proportion than is generally 
paid by the more wealthy churches. 



CHAPTER X. 

OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY, AND MEMBERS 
OF THE CHURCH. 

MINISTERS. 

Rev. Alexander Gillet, ordained Dec. 29, 1773, dismissed Nov. 
10, 1791. Died in Torrington, Conn., Jan. 19, 1826. 

Rev. Israel B. Woodward, ordained June, 1792. Died Nov. 17, 
1S10. 

Rev. Lucas Hart, ordained Dec. 4, 181 r. Died October 16, 
1813. 

Rev. John Keys, installed Sept. 21, 18 14, dismissed December, 
1822. Died in Dover, Ohio, 1868. Aged 86. 

Dea. Isaac Bronson, read sermons most of the time five consecu- 
tive years, from 1822 to 1827. 

Rev. Erastus Scranton, stated supply from June 1, 1827, to Au- 
gust, 1829. 

Rev. Mr. Wheelock, stated supply from Sept. 7, 1829, to Sept. 7, 
1830. 

Rev. Nathan Shaw, stated supply from July 4, 1831, nine months. 

Rev. Seth Sackett, stated supply, a short time. 

Rev. Wra. F. Vail, stated supply one year. 

Rev. James D. Chapman, ordained Oct. 25, 1837, dismissed 
Nov., 1840. 

Rev. Zephaniah Swift, stated supply, probably one year. 

Rev. Aaron C. Beach, ordained June 22, 1842, dismissed June 
22, 1857. 

Rev. Z. B. Burr, stated supply a short time. 

Rev. Joseph Smith, stated supply, one year. 

Rev. Stephen Rogers, installed March 25, 1859, dismissed April 
18, 1863, and died the same year in Woodbury. Conn. 



140 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Rev. Lent S. Hough, stated supply from May, 1863, to May, 1869. 
Rev. Warren C. Fiske, stated supply, from May, 1869, to June, 

1872. 
Rev. Samuel Orcutt, stated supply, from July 1, 1872, to May 17, 

1874. 

DEACONS. 

Aaron Harrison, elected Jan. 26, 1774. Died Sept. 5, 18 19. 
Josiah Rogers, elected Jan. 26, 1774. Died Oct. 1, 1803. 
Justus Peck, elected 1784, resigned Feb. 27, 181 2. Died Nov. 

23, 1813. 
Joseph Atkins, jr., elected April 19, 1786, resigned and moved to 

Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1805. 
Isaac Bronson, elected May 16, 1805. Died April 28, 1845. 
James Bailey, elected Feb. 27, 181 2. Died March 29, 1834. 
Irad Bronson, elected June 3, 1825, resigned March 20, 1834. 

Removed to Cheshire, thence to Bristol, where he now resides. 
Harvey Upson, elected May 12, 1832. Died Sept. 11, 1857. 
Orrin Hall, elected May 18, 1835. 

Ansel H. Plumb, elected Nov. 9, 1838. Died Aug. 20, 1870. 
Lyman B. Bronson, elected June 3, 1S64. Died May 27, 1866. 
Miles S. Upson, elected March 1, 1867. 
George W. Carter, elected Sept. 2, 1870. 

CLERKS OF THE CHURCH. 

Rev. Alexander Gillet, from 1773 to I 79 I - 
Rev. Israel B. Woodward, from 1792 to 181 o. 
Rev. Lucas Hart, from 1811 to 181 3. 
Rev. John Keys, from 1814 to 1822. 
Dea. Isaac Bronson, from 1823 to 1836. 
Rev. James D. Chapman, from 1837 to 1840. 
William Bartholomew, from Nov., 1840, to May, 1842. 
Rev. Aaron C. Beach, from June, 1842, to May, 1857. 
Stiles L. Hotchkiss, from March, 1858, to 1874. 

MODERATORS OF THE ANNUAL SOCIETY MEETINGS. 

Dea. Aaron Harrison, 1770, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, 

1782, 1783, 1788, 1789, 1794, 1795. 
Capt. Isaac Hopkins, 177 1, 1772, 1773, 1 7^5? 1786. 
Capt. Samuel Upson, 1780, 1787, 1790. 
Capt. Zaccheus Gillet, 1781. 



OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. 141 

Capt. Nathaniel Lewis, 1784, 1793. 

Dea. Joseph Atkins, 1791, 1792, 1797. 

Esq. Charles Upson, 1796, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1803, 1804, 1807, 

1809. 
Esq. Mark Harrison, 1801, 1802, 1805, 1806, 1809. [811, 1S14, 

1815, 1816, 1820. 
Jacob Carter, 1810. 
Asaph Hotchkiss, 181 2. 
Lud Lindsley, 1813. 

Doct. John Potter, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1822, 1823, 1827. 
Capt Harvey Upson, 182 1, 1828, 1829, 1834, 1837. 
Thomas Upson, 1824, 1825. 

Lucius Tuttle, 1826, 1830, 1831, 1842, 1852, 1854. 
Luther Hotchkiss, 1832, 1833, 1835, 1838, 1841, 1844, 1846. 
Clark Bronson, 1836, 1849, 1855. 
Dea Orrin Hall, 1839. 
Ira Hough, 1S40, 1843, 1845, 1847. 
Dea. George W. Carter, 1848. 
Dea. Ansel H. Plumb, 1850, 1856, 1863. 
Jarvis R. Bronson, 185 1, 1858, i860, 1872. 
Benjamin A. Lindsley, 1853, 1862, 1864. 
Eldad Parker. 1861. 
Mark Tuttle, 1865. 
Stiles L. Hotchkiss, 1857, 1859, 1866, 1870, 187 1, 1873. 

CLERKS OF THE SOCIETY. 

Daniel Byington, sen., was clerk one year, or, from 1770 to 17 71. 

Daniel Byington, jr., from 1 77 1 to 1798, 26 years. 

Dea. Isaac Bronson, from 1799 to 1831, 32 years. 

Thomas Upson, from 1832, one year. 

William Bartholomew, from 1833 to 1835, two years. 

Mark Tuttle, from 1836 to 1838, two years. 

Ezra S. Hough, from 1839 to 1842, 3 years. 

Joseph N. Sperry, from 1S43 to April, 1847, 3^ years. 

Stiles L. Hotchkiss, from April, 1847, to April, 1850, 3 years. 

Dea. George W. Carter, from April, 1850, to May, 1874, 24 years. 

TREASURERS OF THE SOCIETY. 

Dea. Josiah Rogers, from 1770 to 1773, 3 years. 



142 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Capt. Simeon Hopkins, from 1773 to 1789, 16 years. 

Capt. Charles Upson, from 1789 to 17 90, one year. 

Jacob Carter, from 1790 to 1793, 3 years. 

Esq. Mark Harrison, from 1793 to 1797, 4 years. 

Dea. Isaac Bronson, from 1797 to 1830, ^^ years. 

Ira Hough, from 1831 to 1832, one year. 

Lucius Tuttle, from 1833, one year. 

Clark Bronson, from 1834, one year. 

Mark Tuttle, from 1835 to 1838, 3 years. 

Ezra S. Hough, from 183S to 1S43, 5 years. 

Stiles L. Hotchkiss, from 1843 to l ^5°, 7 years, 

Dea. George W. Carter, from 1850 to 1874, 24 years. 

PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEES. 

1770 — Josiah Rogers, John Alcox, Stephen Barnes, John 
Bronson, Amos Seward. 

1 77 1 — David Norton, Amos Seward, Stephen Barnes, Daniel 
Alcox, Joseph Beecher. 

1772 — David Norton, Amos Seward, John Alcox, Joseph 
Beecher, John Bronson. 

1773 — Amos Seward, Joseph Beecher, Stephen Barnes. 

1774 — Amos Seward, Stephen Barnes, Samuel Upson. 

1775 — Samuel Upson, Stephen Barnes, Joseph Beecher. 
1776 — Joseph Beecher, Samuel Upson, Amos Seward. 

1777 — Amos Seward, Jared Harrison, Thomas Upson. 

1778 — Daniel Byington, jr., Thomas Upson. Daniel Alcox. 
Jared Harrison. 

1779 — Daniel Byington, Jared Harrison, Lieut. Alcox. 
1 7 So — Daniel Byington, Deacon Rogers, Jared Harrison. 
1 78 1 — Daniel Byington, Charles Upson, Joseph Beecher. 
1782 — Lieut. Beecher, Daniel Byington, Lieut. Peck, Simeon 
Hopkins, Charles Upson. 

1783 — Lieut. Beach, Mark Harrison, David Norton. 

1784 — David Norton, Justus Peck, Mark Harrison, Simeon 
Hopkins, Lieut. Beecher. 

1785 — Justus Peck, David Norton, Mark Harrison, Joseph 
Beecher, Simeon Hopkins. 

T y86 — Abraham Norton, Jonathan Carter, Justus Peck, Sim- 
eon Hopkins. 



I HI MI KS or THE SOCIETY. 143 

1787 — Simeon Hopkins. Nathaniel Lewis, Amos Beecher, 
Joseph Atkins. Jonathan Carter. 

!788 — Jonathan Carter, Amos Beecher, Simeon Hopkins. 

1789 — Amos Beecher, Jonathan Carter, Samuel Byington, 
Charles Upson. 

1700 — Mark Harrison, Streat Richards, Jonathan Carter. 

1 791 — Jonathan Carter, Abraham Norton, Jacob Carter, Sam- 
uel Byington, Walter Beecher. 

1792 — Walter Beecher, Streat Richards, Mark Harrison, 
Esq., Simeon Hopkins. 

1793 — Streat Richards. Mark Harrison, Walter Beecher, 
Charles Frisbie. 

1 ; ( j4 . — Mark Harrison, Streat Richards, Isaac Bronson, Charles 
Upson, Samuel Byington, Joseph Minor. 

1795 — Judah Frisbie, Joseph Minor, David Norton, Isaac Up- 
son, Isaac Bronson. 

1796 — James Bailey. Samuel Clinton, Joseph Atkins, Isaac 
Bronson, Daniel Johnson. 

1797 — Deacon Atkins, James Bailey, Stephen Carter, Daniel 
Johnson, Samuel Clinton. 

1798 — Moses Todd, David Harrison, Stephen Carter, Samuel 
Clinton. James Bailey. 

1799. — Stephen Carter, Charles Upson, Joseph M. Parker, 
Samuel Clinton, Preserve Carter. 

1S00 — Charles Upson, Preserve Carter, Joseph M. Parker, 
James Bailey, Isaac Upson. 

1 80 1 — Joseph M. Parker, Preserve Carter, James Bailey, 
Charles Upson, John Frisbie, Nathan Johnson. 

1802 — Nathaniel Lewis, Joseph M. Parker, David Harrison, 
Elijah Rowe, John Frisbie. 

1803 — Joseph M. Parker, John Potter, Jesse Upson, Samuel 
Horton, David Harrison, John Frisbie, Royce Lewis. 

1804 — David Harrison, John Potter, Jesse Upson, Washing- 
ton Upson, Royce Lewis, Farrington Barnes, Samuel Horton. 

1805 — John Potter, John Frisbie, Israel Upson, Washington 
Upson, James Bailey, Mark Barnes, Farrington Barnes. 

1806 — John Potter, Asaph Hotchkiss, Washington Upson, 
Elijah Rowe, Hezekiah Beecher, John Frisbie, Stephen Carter, 
jr., John Hitchcock, Farrington Barnes. 



144 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

^07 — John Potter, Asaph Hotchkiss, Joseph M. Parker, Far- 
rington Barnes, Harvey Upson, Stephen Carter, jr., John Frisbie, 
John Hitchcock, Hezekiah Beecher, Washington Upson. 

j8o8 — Asaph Hotchkiss, Heman Hall, John B. Alcox. 

!8o9 — Asaph Hotchkiss, Harvey Upson, Lud Lindsley, Ab- 
ner Hotchkiss, Heman Hall. 

1810 — Harvey Upson Gates Upson, Lud Lindsley, David 
Frisbie, Lucius Tuttle. 

!8n — Asaph Hotchkiss, Harvey Upson, David Frisbie. 

181 2 — Harvey Upson, Lucius Tuttle, Thomas Upson. 

1813 — Lucius Tuttle, William Bartholomew, Pitman Stowe. 

18 1 4 — Lucius Tuttle, William Bartholomew, Pitman Stowe. 

18 1 5 — William Bartholomew, Luther Hotchkiss, Clark Bron- 
son. 

1816 — Gates Upson, Ira Hough, Daniel Holt. 

18 1 7 — Ira Hough, Daniel Holt, John B. Alcox. 
18 1 8 — Irad Bronson, Orrin Plumb, David Frisbie. 

18 19 — Thomas Upson, David R. Upson, Moses Pond, Lucius 
Tuttle. 

1820 — Lucius Tuttle, Thomas Upson, William Bartholomew, 
Daniel Holt. 

182 1 — Lucius Tuttle, Irad Bronson, Daniel Holt, William 
Bartholomew. 

1822 — Lucius Tuttle, William Bartholomew, Irad Bronson, 
Harvey Upson, Daniel Holt. 

1S23 — Ira Hough, Lucius Tuttle, Irad Bronson, William Bar- 
tholomew. 

1824 — William Bartholomew, Gates Upson, Clark Bronson, 
Thomas Upson, Luther Hotchkiss. 

1825 — Luther Hotchkiss, David Frisbie, Jonathan Bement. 
1826' — Harvey Upson, Jonathan Bement, Ira Hough. 

1827 — Ira Hough, William Bartholomew, Daniel Holt. 

1828 — Thomas Upson, Luther Hotchkiss, David Frisbie 
Clark Bronson. 

1829 — Thomas Upson, Lud Lindsley, Clark Bronson. 

1830 — Reuben Carter, Mark Tuttle, Ira Frisbie. 

1 83 1 — Asa Boardman, George Griswold, Mark Tuttle. 
1832 — Gates Upson, Ira Hough, Lucius Tuttle, jr. 



I iFFICERS Ol' THE SOCIETY. 145 

1833 — Ira Hough, Luther Hotchkiss. Mark Tuttle. 
1S34 — Fitch Higginsj Ciark Bronson, Orrin Hall. 

1835 — Leonard Beecher, Ephraim Hall, Albert Boardman, Ira 
Frisbie, Mark Tuttle. Orrin Hall. 

1836 — Ephraim Hall, Ira Frisbie, Joel Alcox, Luther Hotch- 
kiss 

1837 — Moses Pond, dates Upson, Joseph N. Sperry. 

1838 — Milow G. Hotchkiss, Charles H. Upson, Reuben 
Carter. 

[839- — dates Upson, Daniel Holt, Ira Frisbie. 

1X40 — Gates Upson, Ira Frisbie, ira Hough. 

1X41 — Ira Hough, Joseph N. Sperry, Ira Frisbie. 

[842 — [ra Frisbie, Ansel H. Plumb, Luther Hotchkiss. 

1843 — Ansel H. Plumb. Orrin Hall, Stiles L. Hotchkiss. 

1S44 — Orrin Hall. Stiles L. Hotchkiss, George W. Carter. 

1S45 — Stiles L. Hotchkiss, George W. Carter, Isaac Hough. 

1846 — Isaac Hough. Mark Tuttle, Carolus R. Byington. 

1S47 — Ansel H. Plumb, Mark Tuttle, George W. Carter. 

1S48 — Ansel H. Plumb, George W. Carter, Benjamin A. 
Lindsley. 

1849 — Jarvis R. Bronson. Ansel H. Plumb, Miles S. Upson, 
Mark Tuttle. 

1850 — Ansel H. Plumb, Jarvis R. Bronson, Stiles L. Flotch- 
kiss, Miles S. LJpson. 

185 1 — Miles S. Upson, Ansel H. Plumb, Benjamin A. Lindsley. 

1852 — Ansel H. Plumb, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Henry Beecher. 
[853 — Ansel H. Plumb, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Jarvis R. Bronson. 
1 54 — Ansel H. Plumb, Benjamin A. Lindsley. Ira II. Hough. 

1855 — Ansel H. Plumb. Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Benjamin A. 
Lindsley. 

1856 — An^el H. Plumb. Benjamin A. Lindsley, Miles S. 
Upson. 

1857 — Miles S. Upson, Ira H. Hough, Stiles L. Hotchkiss. 
1858 — Miles S. Upson, Ira H. Hough, Benjamin A. Lindsley. 
1859 — Miles S. Upson, Benjamin A. Lindsley, Ira H. Hough. 
i860 — Miles S. Upson, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Ira H. Hough. 
1S61 — Miks S. Upson, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Ira H. Hough. 
1862 — Miles S. Upson. Ira H. Hough, Joel \V. Upson. 
II 



146 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

1863 — Miles S. Upson, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Benjamin A. 
Lindsley. 

1864 — Miles S. Upson, Benjamin A. Lindsley, Stiles L. 
Hotchkiss. 

1865 — Miles S. Upson, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Ira H. Hough. 
1866 — Miles S. Upson, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Albert N. Lane. 
1867 — Miles S. Upson, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Albert N. Lane. 
1868 — Miles S. Upson, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Albert N. Lane. 
1869 — Miles S. Upson, Albert N. Lane, Stiles L. Hotchkiss. 
1S70 — Miles S. Upson, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Albert N. Lane. 

187 1 — Miles S. Upson, Albert N. Lane, Benjamin L. Bronson. 

1872 — Miles S. Upson, Albert N. Lane, Stiles L. Hotchkiss. 

1873 — Miles S. Upson, Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Albert N. Lane. 

SCHOOL COMMITTEES, AS APPOINTED BY THE PARISH SOCIETY. 

1770 — David Norton, Seth Bartholomew, Daniel Alcox, Amos 
Beecher, Joseph Beecher, Justus Peck, Capt. Aaron Harrison, 
Stephen Barnes, Samuel Upson. 

177 1 — Joseph Sutliff, jr., Joseph Atkins, jr., Ens. John Alcox, 
Amos Seward, Capt. Aaron Harrison, Jedediah Minor, Nathaniel 
Lewis, Simeon Plumb, Daniel Finch. 

1772 — Simeon Hopkins, Jacob Carter, Aaron Harrison, Elia- 
kim Welton, jr., Joseph Beecher, Justus Peck, Daniel Byington, 
John Bronson, Samuel Upson. 

1773 — Stephen Barnes, Aaron Harrison, Joseph Beecher, John 
Bronson, Daniel Byington, Nathaniel Sutliff, Amos Seward, Daniel 
Alcox. 

1774 — Justus Peck, Jesse Alcox, Aaron Harrison, Stephen 
Barnes, Daniel Johnson, Amos Seward, Simeon Hopkins, Daniel 
Alcox, Eliakim Welton. 

1775 — Daniel Johnson, Justus Peck, Jesse Alcox, Joseph 
Smith, Jacob Carter, Amos Seward, Eliakim Welton, jr., Joseph 
Hotchkiss, Daniel Alcox. 

1776 — Lieutenant Cleveland, John Barrett, Wait Hotchkiss, 
Eliakim Welton, jr., Justus Peck, Jesse Alcox, Samuel Upson, 
Stephen Barnes, Stephen Pratt. 

1777 — Reuben Frisbie, Deacon Rogers, Captain Alcox, Amos 



SCHOOL COMMITTEES OF THE SOCIETY. 147 

Seward, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Nathaniel Lewis, Joseph Beecher, 
Abel Beecher, Jared Harrison. 

1778 — Josiah Rogers, Jared Harrison, Stephen Pratt, John 
Alcox, Nathaniel Lewis, Isaac Hopkins, Noah Neal, Samuel Up- 
son, Zadoc Bronson. 

1779 — Captain Gillet, Eliakim Welton, jr., Samuel Upson, 
Mark Harrison, Simeon Plumb, Simeon Hopkins, Timothy 
Bradley. 

1780 — John Bronson, Heman Hall, James Alcox, Samuel Up- 
son, Abel Beecher, Simeon Hopkins, Amasa Gaylord, Reuben 
Frisbie. 

17S1 — Reuben Frisbie, Levi Gaylord, Heman Hall, Stephen 
Carter, Elisha Horton, Jonathan Robins, Amos Seward. 

1782 — David Warner, Eliakim Welton, jr., Ozius Norton, Na- 
thaniel Lewis, Captain Upson, Jacob Carter, Elisha Horton, Jo- 
seph Atkins, Abel Beecher, Samuel Byington, Lieutenant Beach. 

1783 — Jacob Carter, John Silkregg, Mark Harrison, Eliakim 
Welton, jr., Samuel Byington, Charles Upson, Simeon Plumb, 
Justus Peck. 

1784 — Jacob Carter, Jonathan Carter, Charles VJpson, Wait 
Hotchkiss, Nathaniel Lewis, John Alcox, Amos Seward, Simeon 
Plumb. 

1785 — Simeon Plumb, Nathaniel Lewis, Joseph Atkins, Za- 
doc Bronson, Jonathan Carter, Charles Upson, Simeon Hopkins, 
David Warner, Amos Seward. 

1786 — David Harrison, Simeon Plumb, Charles Frisbie, Calvin 
Cowles, Joseph Atkins, James Bailey, James Thomas, Josiah 
Warner. 

1787 — Charles Upson, Stephen Carter, Jonathan Carter, David 
Warner, Eliakim W'elton, jr., Daniel Dean, Deacon Peck, Zadoc 
Bronson, Samuel Upson. 

1788 — Charles Upson, Jonathan Carter, Mark Harrison, Jesse 
Alcox, Charles Frisbie, Amos Beecher, Eliakim Welton, jr., Sam- 
uel Upson, Ephraim Smith, jr. 

1789 — Dr. John Potter, Samuel Byington, Charles Upson, 
Heman Hall, Ozius Norton, Joseph Minor, Simeon Plumb, Na- 
thaniel Lewis, Nathan Scarritt, Eliakim Welton, jr., Samuel 
Upson. 



148 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

l yc )0 — Abraham Norton, John Potter, Charles Frisbie, Luther 
Atkins, Deacon Peck, Mark Harrison, Captain Lewis, Nathan 
Scarritt, James Bailey, Zaccheus Gillet, Eliakim^Welton, jr., Amos 
Seward, Joseph Minor Samuel Byington. 

ijgi — Simeon Plumb, John Potter, Nathan Scarritt, Moses 
Pond, David Alcox, Judah Frisbie, Deacon Atkins, Daniel John- 
son, jr., Samuel Upson, Nathaniel Lewis, Joseph Minor, Ezekiel 
Upson. 

1792 — David Harrison, Nathaniel Lewis, Streat Richards, 
William Stevens, Nathaniel Sutliff, Jesse Alcox, Samuel Bying- 
ton. Zenas Bracket, Joseph Minor, Nathan Seward, John Alcox, 
Samuel LJpson, Ephraim Smith, jr. 

1793 — Joseph Twitchel, Daniel Tuttle, Mark Barnes, Joseph 
Minor, John Frisbie, Jonathan Carter, Stephen Carter, James 
Scarritt, Zuer Bracket, Moses Pond, John B. Alcox, Samuel 
Upson. 

1794 — Simeon Plumb, Heman Hall, Joseph Beecher. Joseph 
M. Parker, David Wakelee, Selah Steadman, James Alcox, Joseph 
Minor, John Talmage, Samuel Clinton, Samuel Upson, Giddeon 
Finch, Nathan Scarritt, Walter Beecher. 

1795 — Heman Hall, Joseph Beecher, Simeon Plumb, Joseph 
M. Parker, Selah Steadman, David Wakelee, James Alcox, Jo- 
seph Minor, John Talmage, Samuel Upson, Samuel Clinton, Gid- 
deon Finch, Nathan Scarritt, Walter Beecher. 

1796 — Town organized. 

MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. 

1773 — Aaron Harrison and Jerusha his wife, Josiah Rogers 
and Sarah his wife, Isaac Hopkins and Mercy his wife, Joseph 
Atkins and Abigail his wife, Thomas Upson, Joseph Sutliff, Amos 
Seward and Ruth his wife, David Norton, John Alcox and Mary 
his wife, Samuel Upson, Wait Hotchkiss and Lydia his wife, Na- 
thaniel Butler and Rebecca his wife, Elizabeth Porter, Daniel 
Alcox and Elizabeth his wife, Joseph Hotchkiss and Hannah his 
wife, Judah Frisbie, Israel Clark and Mahetabel his wife, Daniel 
Lane and Jemima his wife, Stephen Miles, Stephen Barnes and 
Sarah his wife, Zadoc Bronson and Eunice his wife ; Lucy, wife of 
Justus Peck; Rebecca, wife of Nathaniel Hitchcock; Esther Bar- 



MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. I49 

rett, Joseph Benham and Elizabeth his wife; Josiah Barnes, Wil- 
liam Smith; Anne, wife of James Bailey; John Bronson, David 
Frost. 

1774 — Samuel Bradley, Ephraim Pratt and his wife, Eliza- 
beth, wife of Ebenezer Wakelee ; Sarah, wife of Isaac Cleveland ; 
Martha, wife of Aaron Howe; Daniel Byington, jr., Cyrus Nor- 
ton, Levi Gaylord and Lois his wife, Nathaniel Sutliff, Joseph 
Beecher and Esther his wife, Jesse Alcox and Patience his wife, 
Daniel Byington and Sarah his wife, Sarah Seward, Simeon 
Plumb ; Zeruiah, wife of Joseph Sutliff, jr. 

1775 — Stephen Pratt and Zilpha his wife, Abel Curtiss and 
Anne his wife, Joseph Atkins, jr., and Phebe his wife; Sarah R., 
wife of Thaddeus Barnes ; Eunice, wife of Samuel Bradley ; 
Sarah, wife of Ingham Clark. 

1776 — Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Byington, jr.; Mary, wife of 
Ezekiel Upson; Eunice, wife of Luther Atkins; Rebecca, wife of 
Heman Hall. 

1777 — Rebecca, wife of Abraham Wooster ; James Alcox and 
Hannah his wife; Man-, wife of Jeremiah Scarritt ; Wait Hotch- 
kiss ; Elizabeth, wife of Zaccheus Gillet, jr., Jared Harrison and 
Hannah his wife, Zenas Brackett, Calvin Cole and Miriam his 
wife ; Hannah, wife of Reuben Frisbie. 

1778 — Susanna, wife of Noah Neal ; Sarah Jones, widow; 
Mrs. Josiah Hart. 

1779 — Josiah Hart. 

1 78 1 — Isaac Barnes and Lucy his wife ; Rebecca, wife of Amos 
Beecher; Sarah, wife of Capt. Zaccheus Gillet; Joseph Mallery 
and Eunice his wife. 

1783 — Justus Peck, Charles Upson and Wealthy his wife; 
Elizabeth, wife of Joel Lane. 

1784 — Ruth, wife of Reuben Frisbie; Joseph Smith, Jacob 
Carter and Mary his wife, Samuel Byington and Olive his wife, 
Jonathan Carter and Abigail his wife ; Phebe, wife of Samuel Har- 
rison ; Sabra, wife of Asa Alcox ; Sibyll, wife of Archibald 
Pritchard; Jerusha, wife of Cyrus Norton; Samuel Waters and 
Sarah his wife, Samuel Atkins and Esther his wife ; Esther, wife 
of Joseph Smith; Hannah, wife of Judah Frisbie; Hannah, wife 
of Ebenezer Johnson. 



150 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

1 7 85 — Mrs. Nathan Stevens; Mary, wife of Charles Upson; 
Mark Harrison and Rebecca his wife. 

1786 — Triphene Carter, Abraham Norton; Betty, wife of Jer- 
emiah Smith. 

1787 — Sarah, wife of Nathaniel Lewis ; Catharine, wife of John 
Sutliff. 

1788 — Miriam, wife of Ozias Norton; Esther, wife of Joseph 
Beecher, jr. ; Isaac Bronson, Ephraim Smith and his wife ; Rachel, 
wife of Curtiss Hall 

1789 — Mrs. Selah Steadman. 

1 79 1 — Adah, wife of Rev. Alexander Gillet ; Sarah, wife of Jo- 
siah Barnes. 

1792 — Eunice, wife of Streat Richards; Hannah Talmage, 
widow. 

1793 — Sally, wife of Rev. J. B. Woodward; Lois Hopkins, 
widow ; Heman Hall, David Harrison. 

1794 — James Bailey; Pamela, wife of Solomon Alcox ; Lydia, 
wife of David Harrison. 

1794 — Isaac Bronson, Mrs. Loise Clark, — Clinton, Mrs. Joel 
Granniss ; Hester, wife of Jerry Moulthrop ; Cretia, wife of John 
Talmage ; Ruth, wife of Elisha Horton. 

1796 — Charles Frisbie and wife. 

1798 — John Frisbie. 

Of persons who united with the church from 1798 to 
181 1, I find no record. In a list written on the inside 
of the cover of the old book, probably by Rev. Mr. Keys, 
several names occur that I find in no other place. They 
are the following : 

Preserve Carter, Prince Duplax, Lud Lindsley, Mrs. Lud 
Lindsley, Mrs. Preserve Carter. Stephen Carter, Mrs. Stephen 
Carter; Lowly Carter, widow; Jesse Upson, Mrs. Jesse Upson, 
Mrs. Moses Byington, Jeremiah Scarritt, Washington Upson, 
Mrs. Washington Upson, Abigail Pardee, Asaph Hotchkiss, Mrs. 
Asaph Hotchkiss, John Potter, Mrs. John Potter, Joseph Parker, 
Mrs. Joseph Parker, Joseph M. Parker and Hannah, his. wife ; 
Henrv Upson, Mrs. Henry Upson, Mrs. Selah Upson, Mrs. Man- 
ly Upson. Gates Upson, Mrs. Gates Upson, Isaac Upson, Mrs. 



MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. 1 51 

Isaac Upson; Lydia Frisbie, Zeruiah Sutliff, Mrs. Ozias Norton, 
Mrs. John Thomas, Mrs. John Hotchkiss, Mrs. Bildad Hotchkiss ; 
Martha Thomas, widow ; Mrs. Joshua Minor, Daniel Rose, Mrs. 
Erastus L. Hart, Widow Sandford, Nathaniel Lane, Mrs. Laura 
Upson. 

181 1 — Eldad Parker; Ruth, wife of Lewis Wakelee ; Jona- 
than Case. 

18 1 2 — Esther Harrison, widow; Lydia Alcox, Maria Wakelee, 
Lewis H. Wakelee, Pitman Stowe and his wife, Mrs. Elisha Hor- 
ton, jr. 

1813 — Abner Hotchkiss and his wife, Mrs. Ira Hough, Lydia 
Rogers, Julia Upson, Delight Carter. 

1 814 — Abiather Sutliff and Clarissa his wife, Manly Upson, 
Harvey Norton, Hannah Beach. 

181 5 — Fanny Knight, widow; Beda Goodyear ; Mary, wife 
of Reuben Carter; Mary, wife of Bela Row; Abigail Royce, 
Sarah Churchill, Luther Roper, Mrs. Luther Hotchkiss, Mrs. 
Ziba Norton, Mrs. David Frisbie. 

1816 — Daniel Holt and Abby his wife, Reuben Carter, Bildad 
Hotchkiss ; Hannah, wife of Orrin Jackson ; Sarah, wife of Jerry 
Moulthrop; Hannah, wife of William Bartholomew; Phebe, wife 
of Irad Bronson ; Sarah Bronson ; Lucette, wife of Obed Doo- 
little ; Zechariah Hitchcock, Lois L. Doolittle, Mrs. Orrin Plumb. 

1 81 7 — Luna, wife of Amos Pierson ; Irad Bronson; Amy Tut- 
tle, widow; Lucy Upson. 

182 1 — Mrs. Higgins, Jonathan Bement and Hannah his wife, 
Anne M. Bailey, Lucius Tuttle, Rebecca Tuttle ; Hannah, wife 
of John Bronson, jr.; Sarah, wife of Titus Brackett; Lucy, wife 
of Uri Carter; Betsey, wife of Almond Alcox; Thomas Upson 
and Jerusha his wife. 

1827 — Sally M. Upson, Laura Munson. 

1828 — Moses Pond, Samuel W. Upson, Clark Bronson and Ex- 
perience his wife. Sophia R. Alcox, Orlinda Thomas, Selah Upson, 
Martha Tuttle, Wealthy Moulthrop, Hannah Norton, Fitch A. 
Higgins. Amanda Higgins. William Bartholomew, Lowman Up- 
son. John S Atkins, Esther Atkins. Ira Frisbie. Sarah Frisbie, 
Marilla Lindsley, Hannah M. Lindsley, Rachel Lindsley, Henrietta 
M. Bailey, Sylvia Thomas, Chloe Alcox, Bennet W. Parker. Mar- 



152 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

cus Upson, Mary Harrison, Clarissa Upson, Theda M. Carter, 
Laura A. Bement. 

1829 — Elizabeth Alcox, Sarah Plumb, Lois Alcox, Benjamin 

A. Lindsley, Lucas H. Carter, Eunice Hotchkiss, Salina D. Car- 
ter, Asa Boardman, Louisa Boardman, Timothy H. Hotchkiss, 
Mary A. Hotchkiss, Mabel Downs, Sarah Scarritt. 

1830 — Desire Bunnel, Charles Welton. 

1833 — Polly Upson, Harriet Norton, Mary H. Upson, Char- 
lotte R. Lindsley, Parlia A. Perkins, Sarah Upson. 

1834 — Ruth Johnson; Lydia, wife of Moses Pond; Nancy, 
wife of Zenas Tolles ; Parlia, wife of Leonard Beecher ; Mary, 
wife of Josiah Thomas ; Amanda Perkins ; Lucy, wife of Lowman 
Upson ; Luther Hotchkiss. Ansel H. Plumb, Luther Bailey, John 

B. Alcox, Russel Rowe, Cyrus Upson, Orrin Hall and Nancy his 
wife, Albert A. Boardman and Mary his wife ; Ephraim Hall and 
Mary, his wife, Matthew S. Norton and Betsy M. his wife. David 
S. Bailey and Sarah L. his wife, Miles S. Hotchkiss and Abigail 
his wife, Jenette Upson, Mary A. H. Holt, Phebe L. Bronson, 
Thankful B. Bartholomew, Sarah Hotchkiss, Almira Norton, Ro- 
sanna L. Perkins, Lois A. Johnson, Lucy A. Bement, Sarah Jane 
Bartholomew, Rachel Pond, William R. Higgins, Lorin C. Holt, 
Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Hendric Norton, Polly Alcott, Esther R. At- 
kins, Harriet Alcott, Russel Upson, Adeline Upson, Roxanna 
Hall, Florilla Hickox, Isaac Upson. 

1838 — Timothy U. Carter; Lois M., wife of Lucas Sutliff; 
Hannah V., wife of Carolus Byington ; Bertha Bartholomew, Joel 
Alcott, Samuel Lindsley, Daniel H. Holt, Mrs. Luther Bailey, 
George" A. Duran, Lucius Tuttle, jr.; Sylvia, wife of Eldad Par- 
ker; Polly, wife of Willard Plumb; Vina, wife of John Beecher; 
Henry D. Upson, Jarvis R. Bronson, Mary P. Smith, Lucius 
Upson, Anson Sutliff, Ezra Stiles Hough and Lucy his wife, Dei- 
damia Minor. 

1842 — Marietta Bradley, Mary A. Hough; Harriet, wife of 
Henry Beecher. 

1843 ' — Lucy Ann, wife of Aaron C. Beech; Adah Finch, Still- 
man Bronson, Henry Beecher, Rollin W. Plumb ; Lois A., wife of 
Ansel H. Plumb; Esther P., wife of Jarvis R. Bronson; Eliza 
A. Norton, George W. - Carter, Rufus Norton, Mrs. Harriet 



MEMBERS OF THE ( HURCH. 1 53 

E. Norton, Narcissa Sperry, Esther Alcott, Royce Lewis and 
Fanny his wife. 

1844 — Mrs. Rachel Upson, Hannah Tuttle, Esther Atkins, 
Charles Kirk, Benjamin A. Lindsley and Lucina his wife. 

1S46 — Sarah Ann, wife of Geo. \V. Carter; Matthew S. Nor- 
ton and Betsey his wife. 

1848 — Mercy Gaylord Alcott. 

1849 — Emoret A. Bartholomew. Sarah Plumb. 

1850 — Lois S., wife of David M. Sanford ; Amos Roberts and 
Rebecca his wife. Miles M. Upson, Burritt W. Beecher. Newell B. 
Churchill, Lyman B. Bronson. 

1853 — Dudley H. Abbott ; Jenette, wife of Seth Wiard. 

1854 — Martha Tuttle. John Wickliffe Beach, Mary R. Hotch- 
kiss. David F. Beach, Jane Beach. 

1858 — Augusta E. Markland, James Alcott, Salina Alcott, 
Harriet Ann Alcott, Emily Alcott, Ardelia M. Tuttle, Mary A. 
Hough. Ann A. Hough, Ira H. Hough, Ezra S. Hough, Harriet 
E. Hough, Emma J. Odell, Sarah E. Bartholomew, Augustus E. 
Brackett, Joel W. Upson and Eleanor his wife, Lucian Upson, 
Leroy Upson, Saphrona Upson, William A. Munson, Julia A. 
Munson, Mary E. Hitchcock, Henry B. Carter. John H. Beecher, 
Joseph A. Beecher. S. Dwight Beecher, James B. Bailey, Elmer 
Hotchkiss, Mary E. Atkins. Lucy S. Bronson, John Frisbie, Fran- 
cis (i. Churchill. Esther E. Hough, Harriet L. Bronson, Emogene 
E. Minor, Laura Ann Hough, Amelia E. Rose, Rufus A. Sand- 
ford. 

1859 — Mrs. Sarah Whitlock, Albert N. Lane and Esther Me- 
lissa his wife. Mary Harrison. Emma A. Upson, Edward H. 
Allen, Rev. Stephen Rogers and Jerusha his wife, Hannah Be- 
ment, Esther A. Beecher. 

i860 — Andrew R. Rowe, David A. Sandford. 

1861 — Mrs. Betsey Sperry. 

1862 — Helen M. Rogers. Abigail Brooks. 

1863 — Rev. Lent S. Hough, Hannah S. Hough, Leonard 
Blakeslee. Emma C. Hitchcock. Maria S. W. Hough. Mary E. 
Hough, Martha R. Hough. 

1864 — Sarah M. Moulthrop, Annis E. Hotchkiss, Emily M. 
Upson, Luther W. Plumb, Eliza A. Plumb, Emeline Thomas, 



154 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Sarah U. Hall, Helen R. Thomas, Harriet S. Norton, Omer C. 
Norton. 

1865 — Mary E. Upson. 

1866 — Helen R. Hall. 

1867— Mahlon Hotchkiss, Heman W. Hall, George W. At- 
wood, Huldah Atwood, Leverette A. Sandford, Harriet J. Hall, 
Amelia C. Hitchcock, Sarah J. Johnson, Augustus Rose, Mary- 
Rose, Ella J. Rose, Arthur Terrill. James P. Alcott, Benjamin L. 
Bronson, Henry Fields. John 1 . Harrison, Evelin M. Upson, 
Frank C. Munson, Inez E. Munson, Mary Alcott, Mary W. Har- 
rison, Anna C. Downs, Emilyette Upson, Isaac Hough, George 
Atkins, Cora A. Atkins, Elliot Bronson, Lydia J. Norton, Lydia 
S. Downs, Alice S. Lewis, Charles E. E. Somers, Sarah Terrill, 
Lucilla M. Upson. 

1868 — Martha A. Brooks, Mary A. Richardson. 

1869 — Rums J. Lyman, Rev. W. C. Fiske and H. M. his wife, 
James P. Fiske, Sarah L. Fiske, William W. Fiske, Orrin Yemmans, 
Rebecca Yemmans. 

187 1 — Mary P. Carter, Sarah G. Thomas. 
1S72 — Persis H. Atwood, Frank G. Mansfield. 



THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

This church, though never large, has performed an im- 
portant work in this part of the great vineyard, — a work 
of which it need not be ashamed in any respect. It 
has suffered more by removal of its members than the, 
other church, and as a consequence, it is reduced to 
a handful compared to its former numbers, and has not 
held regular service for several years. 

Among the earliest settlers in Wolcott were Episco- 
palians, and when the First Society was organized and a 
" tax laid" for the support of the gospel, the Episcopa- 
lians were taxed the same as others, but their tax was 
appropriated, according to law, for the support of their 
church in Waterbury. The First Society being the legal 
one, assessed the ecclesiastical taxes on all persons with- 
in its bounds, and appointed special collectors to gath- 
er the tax of Episcopalians, and hence we find as early 
as 1772, Ensign Oliver Welton and Eliakim Welton, jr., 
"chosen to collect Rev. Mr. Scovill's rate," and this ar- 
rangement continued many years afterward, and therefore 
the Episcopalians paid, by tax, for the support of the 
gospel as regularly as the Congregationalists. 

In 1779 the Episcopalians were so numerous as to peti- 
tion the General Assembly to be made a distinct Society, 
as appears from the following record in the proceedings 
of the First Society : " Voted, to remonstrate against the 
memorial whereby we are cited to give reason, if any, at 






158 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

the General Assembly, why Josiah Cowles and others 
should not be made a distinct Ecclesiastical Society, and 
that Thomas Upson, Daniel Alcox, Daniel Byington and 
Jared Harrison be agents for the same purpose," and in 
consequence of this remonstrance, probably, this petition 
was not granted. 

Soon after Mr. Woodward's settlement, persons began 
to withdraw from the First Society, in favor of other 
churches, and from 1791 to 1822, twenty-six families 
withdrew and joined the Baptist Societies in Bristol, 
Southington, and Waterbury ; twenty withdrew in favor 
of no Society, and the following in favor of the Episco- 
pal church : 

1793 — Barna Powers. 

1806 — Timothy Hotchkiss. 

1808 — Daniel Byington, Streat Richards, Joseph Minor, Lewis 
Loveland, David Wakelee, Reuben Lewis, Jesse Alcox, jr., Na- 
thaniel G. Lewis, David Alcox, jr., Joseph C. Alcox, Phineas 
Deming, Levi Brown, James Scarritt, David M. Beach. Isaac 
Downs, Elkanah Smith.* 

1809 — John Norton, Caleb Merrills, Marvin Beckwith, jr. 

181 1 — Jairus Alcox, Titus Hotchkiss, John J. Kenea. 

18 1 2 — Levi Hall, Zephana Parker, Anion Bradley. 

18 1 3 — Joseph Twitchell, Richmond Hall, Samuel Upson, jr._ 
Lyman Higgins, Jerry Todd, Levi Parker, Ambrose Ives, Archi- 
bald Minor. 

18 1 6 — Marcus Minor, Jeremiah Sperry, Harpin Hotchkiss. 

1820 — Salmon Johnson. 

182 1 — Orrin Plumb. 

1822 — William Parker. | 

About the year 1805, the Episcopal people began to 
hold service at the house of Daniel Byington at the Mill 

* And two others, whose names were afterwa"rds erased, making eighteen 
at one time. 

f We have the certificates of over ninety families that withdrew from the 
First Society, between the years 1791 and 1S22. 



CALL FOR THE FIRST SOCIETY MEETING. 1 59 

Place, where they continued to hold it, most of the 
time, for a number of years. 

The Episcopal Society was organized January 26th, 
181 1, at the house of Mr. Titus Hotchkiss, who then re- 
sided on the Twitchell place. 

CALL FOR THE FIRST SOCIETY MEETING. 

We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Wolcott, being 
of the order of Christians denominated Episcopalians, and being 
desirous to form ourselves into a Society for the purpose of exer- 
cising all the privileges which by law are granted to the several 
Societies, being of the aforesaid order of Christians, do hereby 
agree to meet on the 26th day of instant November, at the dwell- 
ing house of Mr. Titus Hotchkiss, in said Wolcott, at one o'clock 
in the afternoon of said day, for the purpose of choosing a moder- 
ator and clerk of said meeting, which clerk, when chosen, shall be 
sworn as the law directs j and also to choose all other officers 
which shall then be thought necessary and proper for the good of 
said Society, and also to tax ourselves for the purpose of pro- 
curing such proportion of preaching as shall by the Society be 
thought best, being at all times governed and directed by a 
majority of said meeting, in the doing and performing of all which, 
as above written, will ever hereafter consider ourselves a Society ; 
and to be guided by the same laws and in the same manner as 
other Societies of the same denomination, belonging to this State, 
are. 

Wolcott, November 21, 181 1. 

John Welton, Moses Welton, Levi Hall, William Parker, 
William Hotchkiss, Ambrose Ives, Eliakim Welton, Timothy 
Hotchkiss, Streat Todd, Phineas Deming, Joseph Minor, John 
Norton, Zephana Parker, Bildad Hotchkiss, John J. Kenea, Asaph 
Finch, Levi Brown, Erastus Welton, Joseph Welton, Eliakim 'Wel- 
ton, 2d, Titus Hotchkiss, Thomas Welton, Daniel Langdon, Hez- 
ekiah Bradley, Daniel Byington, David Wakelee, Joseph C. Al- 
cox, Eleazer Finch. 

MINUTES OF THE FIRST SOCIETY MEETING. 

Wolcott, Nov. 26, 181 1. 
At a legal meeting this day holden at the dwelling house of 



l6o HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Mr. Titus Hotchkiss, by the members of the Episcopal Society, 
the following votes were passed by the members of said meeting : 
That Daniel Langdon be moderator of said meeting, and that 
Erastus Welton be clerk for the year ensuing ; that Moses Wel- 
ton be treasurer; that Moses Welton, Bildad Hotchkiss, and 
Irad Wakelee be Society's Committee for the year; Daniel 
Langdon and Thomas Welton, Wardens. Voted that a tax of 
one cent on a dollar be laid on the list 1811, and made payable 
to the Treasurer the first day of March. 181 2, and that Irad 
Wakelee be Collector of said Tax. Voted that the annual society 
meeting be hereafter holden the last Monday in November, annu- 
ally. That the society committee receive the money at the 
hands of the Treasurer, and at their discretion apply it for preach- 
ing the ensuing year." 

For two years after the formation of the Society, the 
Rev. Mr. Prindle, then of Naugatuck, supplied the Soci- 
ety with preaching once a month during the summer sea- 
son, six or seven months, at $6 per Sabbath, as the 
Treasurer's book shows. In 181 5 Rev. Tillotson Bron- 
son preached for them. After this, names of ministers 
are not mentioned for some years, yet the amount spent 
for preaching seems to have been most of the time near- 
ly fifty dollars a year. 

Services were conducted by laymen regularly in the 
absence of a minister, and the following committees were 
appointed from year to year to " read the prayers of the 
church," and also to read sermons. 

181 2 — Thomas Welton, Moses Welton, Elias Welton. 

18 1 3 — Thomas Welton, Moses Welton, Elias Welton, Erastus 
Welton. To read sermons — Elias Welton, Ambrose Ives, Levi 
Parker, Erastus Welton, Jarius Alcox, Joseph Welton. 

1814 — To read prayers — Thomas Welton, Moses Welton, 
Eliakim Welton, Erastus Welton, Elias Welton. To read ser- 
mons — Ambrose Ives, John Kenea, Levi Parker. 

181 5 — To read prayers — Thomas Welton, Moses Welton. 
Erastus Welton, Elias Welton, Eliakim Welton, Eben Welton. 



CHURCH COMMITTEES. l6l 

To read sermons — John J. Kenea, Levi Parker, Ambrose Ives, 
Elias Welton. 

1816 — To read prayers — Thomas Welton, Moses Welton, 
Eliakim Welton, jr., Erastus Welton. To read sermons — Am- 
brose Ives, Levi Parker, William Alcox, Amos B. Alcox, Elias 
Welton, Erastus Welton 

18 1 7 — To read prayers — Thomas Welton, Moses Welton, Eben 
Welton, Erastus Welton, Eliakim Welton. To read sermons — 
Ambrose Ives, William Alcox, Levi Parker, Erastus Welton, 
Ziba Welton, Amos B. Alcox. 

18 18 — To read prayers — Eben Welton, Moses Welton, Eras- 
tus Welton, Thomas Welton. To read sermons . — Ambrose Ives, 
Erastus Welton, William Alcox, Levi Parker, Elias Welton. 

18 1 9 — To read prayers — Eben Welton, Thomas Welton, 
Erastus Welton, Moses Welton, Archibald Minor. To read ser- 
mons — Erastus Welton, Archibald Minor, William Alcox, Levi 
Parker. 

1820 — To read prayers — Eben Welton, Moses Welton, 
Thomas Welton, Erastus Welton. To read sermons — Ambrose 
Ives, Archibald Minor, Erastus Welton, Elias Welton, William 
Alcox. 

182 1 — To read prayers — Thomas Welton, Moses Welton, 
Eben Welton, Erastus Welton, Archibald Minor, William Alcox. 
To read sermons — Archibald Minor, Erastus Welton, William 
Alcox, Levi Parker, Elias Welton, Willard Plumb. 

1822 — To read prayers — Thomas Welton, Eben Welton, Moses 
Welton. Erastus Welton, Archibald Minor, William A. Alcox. 
To read sermons — Archibald Minor, Orrin Plumb, Elias Welton, 
Willard Plumb, William A. Alcox, Levi Parker, Erastus Welton, 
Levi Hall, Ambrose Ives. 

This list of names for ten years exhibits the working 
force of the church without a minister. In contrast with 
the other church in Wolcott, it shows that as the Epis- 
copal Society and church grew strong, the Congregation- 
al grew weak, and hence, in 1822 and 1823, when the 
Episcopal Society began to make arrangements to build 
a house of worship, the Congregational Society dismissed 
Mr. Keys for want of ability to support him, and en- 
12 



1 62 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

tered upon the plan of lay preaching, by Isaac Bronson, 
which continued a number of years after. There seems to 
be no occasion for censure, but if the whole people could 
have consented to worship as one body, the result would 
have been, apparently, more happy and advantageous to 
the community and to the world. 

BUILDING A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 

In 1817 the Society voted that "we meet at the house 
of Mr. Daniel Byington the winter coming," and at this 
house they probably had met during the winters, most of 
the time, from the commencement of holding services 
separate from Waterbury, and during the summer meet- 
ing in the school houses. 

On April 10th, 1820, the Society, at an adjourned meet- 
ing, took into consideration the subject of building a 
house of worship, and "voted that we appoint an agent 
to consult the minds of gentlemen on the expediency of 
petitioning the Legislature for a grant of a lottery for 
the purpose of building a house of public worship." At 
an adjourned meeting held in the same month, April 
24th, they "voted that we will build a house of public 
worship, provided that we can agree upon a spot for that 
purpose." Also "voted that we will build a house in the 
Centre, provided we can be accommodated with a place 
to set it, and that Levi Hall, Ambrose Ives, and Erastus 
Welton, be a committee to look out a spot to build a 
house." 

At an adjourned meeting, held December 31st, 1821, 
they "voted that we will build a church in case we can 
get money enough subscribed, and that we will build it 
in the centre of the town, near the Meeting house, and 
that Archibald Minor, Levi Hall, Moses Welton, Eben 
Welton, Willard Plumb, and Ambrose Ives, be a com- 
mittee to circulate subscription papers for the purpose of 
building a house." 

On January 21st, three weeks later, they "voted to 



BUILDING A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. 163 

ascertain the probable expense of a house from 40 by 30 
to 46 by 36 feet, and also to get a plan of the frame." 
One week later they "voted to build a church 30 by 40 
feet, that it be two stories high, with 20 feet posts and 
a cupola suitable for hanging a bell." At the same meet- 
ing they directed the Society Committee to "agree with 
Moses Pond for a room in his chamber to meet in for one 
year, if in their opinion they can get it reasonable." 
Moses Pond's house was at this time the public house at 
the Centre. In the Autumn of the same year they 
circulated subscriptions to raise money to defray ex- 
penses for hiring a house in which to hold public worship 
the year ensuing, and it is probable it was this chamber 
in Mr. Pond's hotel. 

In December, 1823, they accepted the report of their 
committee on a place to build a house, and fixed a site 
and appointed a committee to forward the enterprise. 
Between the years 1822 and 1830, the Society met fre- 
quently, discussed the whole subject of building and 
appointed committees to forward the same, but the 
house did not appear in its place as desired. The Society 
was not able to build a church that would accommodate 
even its small congregation, and during the same time 
the Congregational Society was unable to "hire preach- 
ing." The "revival" in the Spring of 1828 in the Con- 
gregational Society under the Rev. Mr. Scranton had re- 
vived the religious energies of the whole community, and 
the Episcopal Society shared in its benefits. In Feb- 
ruary of 1830, they changed the size of the house to 24 
by 36 feet, and proceeded to gather materials for the 
building. 

A SITE GIVEN BY THE TOWN. 

Wolcott, April 5th, 1830. 

Then met according to adjournment, and at said meeting, upon 
the petition of a number of the members of the Episcopal So- 
ciety in said town in the form following : 

Whereas, the Episcopal Society in the town of Wolcott are 



164 I ITS TORN' OF WOLCOTT. 

about to erect a house of public worship in said Wolcott, and 
being desirous to set the same somewhere near the Congre- 
gational Meeting house in said Wolcott, or as near as a suitable 
spot of ground can be obtained for that purpose, we, therefore, 
whose names are underwritten, petition the inhabitants of said 
Wolcott, in legal town meeting this day assembled, for leave to 
erect said house on the most eligible spot of ground belonging to 
said town of Wolcott on the south part of the public green. 

Signed by JOHN J. KENEA and others. 
Wolcott, April 5, 1830. 
Voted to grant the prayer of the petition. 

During the summer of 1830 the frame was raised, and 
in December the outside of the church was covered. 
The only record of expense of the Society is a paper- 
covered book, found in possession of Mr. Orrin Hall, hav- 
ing been left by Mr. Levi Hall at his death, containing 
Mr. Erastus Welton's account with the Society as treas- 
urer from 181 1 to 1823, and containing Mr. Levi Hall's 
account with the same from 1835 to J S39- These items 
give us no account of tliz cost of the church, nor when it 
was completed. It is probable that the church was not 
finished till some time during the year 1832, from the 
fact that a meeting of the Society was held on the first 
Monday of April, 1833, and they "voted to discharge 
Levi Hall, Archibald Minor, Thomas H. Welton, and 
Orrin Plumb, building committee for the church, from 
any further services as committee aforesaid, and from all 
liabilities in said capacity," which indicates the work of 
building completed at that time. 

In 1836 a stove was put into the church, as appears 
from a subscription paper for that purpose, still pre- 
served. 



CHAPTER II. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH. 

The early records of the church were destroyed, 
purposely, as we are informed, by Rev. Collis I. Potter, 
who was minister to this parish in 1850; but from a 
minute made in the transactions of the Society, we learn 
quite clearly that the church was organized on or about 
Easter, 1834, for the meetings are called "Meetings of 
the Episcopal Society" till October, 1833, when they ad- 
journed to the first Monday after the next Easter, and on 
that date the record made is of "All Saints' Parish in 
Wolcott." I have no doubt, therefore, of the date of 
the organization. 

The records destroyed contained the list of the mem- 
bers and families of the church, and their destruction 
left the Book of Records in an unseemly condition, such 
as we should think no one would tolerate, — especially 
for the reason given, that some few things objection- 
able had been written therein. Hence, as to the rec- 
ords of the church, we are carried forward to the year 
1850, when the Rev. Mr. Potter, then minister of "All 
Saints' Church," makes the following minute : "The old 
register is exceedingly imperfect, partly from the negli- 
gence of former ministers, and partly from the fact that 
it has been judged expedient to destroy several pages 
containing matter which was inappropriate for a register 
of the church, and which gave offence to some." After 
thus giving reasons for the destruction of the records, 
he enters on an earnest exhortation to future ministers 



166 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

and wardens to keep the register fully and faithfully, and 
in a " proper manner;" but he himself makes no record 
whatever of past historical items, except this one of the 
destruction of the register. Instead of giving reasons 
why a register should be kept, it would have been better 
to copy such parts of the old register as were "proper" 
for a church record. Five years after Mr. Potters reign 
of destruction in records, we come to some account of 
the members and families of the church, which was made 
by Rev. Ximenus Alanson Welton, who " took charge 
of the parish under the supervision of the Bishop," in 
1855. 

During the years 1836 and 1837, the church was sup- 
plied with preaching by Rev. Peter G. Clark, residing in 
Cheshire. Several receipts for moneys paid are pre- 
served, but they are not explicit as to the amount of 
yearly salary ; only from one receipt it might be conclu- 
ded that he received $230 a year. In 1838 and 1839, Rev. 
Mr. Covill is mentioned as preaching to this church " half 
of the time." 

In 1840 and 1841, and possibly longer, the church was 
supplied with preaching by Rev. Servilius Stocking, who 
resided in Wolcott, and may have been the first resident 
minister of this church. The salary seems to have been 
$300 a year, which was equal to the amount raised by 
the other Society at the same time. 

From Easter, 1843, for one year, the Rev. Mr. Gregor 
supplied the pulpit, and the Rev. Wm. G. French the 
year following ; and following him, in 1845 to 1846, the 
Rev. David Sandford was engaged, and after him Rev. 
John D. Smith, for three years. The Rev. Collis Ira 
Potter was employed as minister from the Spring of 1850 
to that of 1855. He entered in a new register a list of 
communicants and families then belonging to the church, 
and continued a faithful registry of baptisms, confirma- 
tions, and deaths, during his stay in the parish. The 
Rev. Ximenus Alanson Welton followed Mr. Potter in 



EPISCOPAL MINISTERS. l6/ 

1855 and 1856, and showed equal faithfulness in regard 
to the records. 

MINISTERS WHO PREACHED FOR THE EPISCOPAL PEOPLE IX 
WOLCOTT. 

Rev. Mr. Prindle, of Naugatuck, two years once in six weeks, 
from 18 1 1 to 18 13. 

Rev. Tillotson Bronson, of Cheshire, preached a short time. 

From 1 8 17 money was raised nearly or quite every 
year till 1835, to procure preaching, but the ministers' 
names are not mentioned in the records. 

1836 and 1837 — Rev. Peter G. Clark of Cheshire. 

1838 and 1839 — Rev. Mr. Covell, of Bristol. 

1840 and 1841, and perhaps longei — Rev. Servilius Stocking, 
resident minister. 

1843 — Rev. Mr. Gregor. 

1844 — Rev. Wm. G. French. 

1845 and 1846 — Rev. David Sandford. 

1847 — Rev. John D. Smith, of Seymour, three years. 

1850 to 1855 — Rev. Collis Ira Potter, four years. 

1S55 and 1856 — Rev. Ximenus Alanson Welton. 

1858 — Rev. Samuel A. Appleton, assistant to Rev. Dr. Clark, 
of Waterbury. 

1859 — Rev. James Morton, of Harwinton preached most of 
the year as supply on Sabbath. 

i860 — Rev. J. M. Willey, assistant of Rev. Dr. Clark, of Wat- 
erbury. He is said to have been a " smart man," and enjoyed 
preaching at YVolcott very much. 

Since Mr. Willey, Rev. Prof. Russell, of Waterbury, has 
preached a few times. 

CLERKS. 

181 1 to 1823 — Erastus Welton. 
1824 to 1835 — Orrin Plumb. 
1836 to 1839 — Seth Horton. 
1840 to 1841 — Orrin Plumb. 
1842 to 1864 — Ezra L. Todd. 
1865 to 1873 — Dennis Pritchard. 



168 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

TREASURERS. 

1811 to 1823 — Erastus Welton. 
1824 to 1834 — Orrin Plumb. 
1835 to 1841 — Levi Hall. 
1842 to 1844 — Heman Hall. 
1845 to 1847 — Levi Hall. 
1848 to 1859 — Geo. G. Alcott. 
i860 to 1873 — Dennis Pritchard. 

SOCIETY COMMITTEES. 

181 1 — Moses Welton, Bildad Hotchkiss, Irad Wakelee. 

1 81 2 — Moses Welton, Irad Wakelee, Elias Wakelee. 

1813 — Moses Welton, Ambrose Ives, Levi Parker. 

1814 — Ambrose Ives Levi Hall, Moses Welton. 

18 1 5 — Levi Hall, Ambrose Ives, Eliakim Welton. 
18 16— Ambrose Ives, Levi Hall, Eliakim Welton. 
18 1 7 — Joseph Minor, Jeremiah Todd. Jared Welton. 

18 1 8 — Eben Welton, Joseph C. Alcox, Streat Todd. 

1819 — Eben Welton, Streat Todd, Marcus Minor. 
^20 — Streat Todd, Levi Hall, Eldad Alcox. 

182 1 — Levi Hall, William Plumb, Eldad Alcox. 

1822 — Eldad Alcox, William Plumb, Archibald Minor. 

1823 — Archibald Minor, Hezekiah Bradley, Erastus Welton. 

1824 — Hezekiah Bradley, Archibard Minor, Levi Hall. 
Xo record of election from 1825 until 1829. 

1S29 — Lyman Higgins, Orrin Plumb, Eldad Alcox. 

1830 — Lyman Higgins, Levi Hall, Orrin Plumb. 

1 83 1 — Levi Hall, Eldad Alcox, Lyman Higgins. 

1 S3 2 — John J. Kenea, Lyman Higgins, Marcus A. Minor. 

1833 — Martin Upson, Marcus Minor, Seth Horton. 

1834 — No record. 

1835 — Marcus Minor. Chester Hotchkiss, Seth Horton. 

1836 — Seth Horton, Jesse Nichols, Martin Upson. 

1S37 — Martin Upson, Heman Hall, Thomas H. Welton. 

1 S3 8 — No record. 

1839 — Marcus Minor, Moses Pond, Sammy Finch. 

1540 — Moses Pond, Heman Hall, Willis Merrill. 

1541 — Martin Upson, I evi Hall, James Alcott. 



WARDENS OF THE SOCIETY. 169 

1842 — Martin Upson, Lyman Higgins, Levi Hall. 

1843 — Martin Upson, Harvey G. Plumb, Upson Higgins. 

1844 — Upson Higgins, Hezekiah Todd, Thomas H. Welton. 

WARDENS. 

811 — Daniel Langton, Thomas Welton. 

812 — Eliakim Welton, Thomas Welton. 

813 — Eliakim Welton, Thomas Welton. 

814 — Eliakim Welton, Thomas Welton. 

815 — Eliakim Welton. Thomas Welton. 

816 — Thomas Welton, Eliakim Welton, jr. 

817 — Eben Welton. Erastus Welton. 

818 — Eben Welton, Erastus Welton. 

819 — Thomas Welton, Moses Welton. 
820 — Thomas Welton, Moses Welton. 

821 — Erastus Welton, Moses Welton. 

822 — Erastus Welton, Eben Welton. 

823 — Moses Welton, Thomas Welton. 

824 — Hezekiah Bradley, Moses Welton. 

No record of any elections from 1824 to 1829. 

829 — Levi Hall, Lyman Higgins. 

830 — Sammy Nichols, Hezekiah Bradley. 
831 — Sammy Nichols, Hezekiah Bradley. 

832 — Hezekiah Bradley, Sammy Nichols. 

833 — Lyman Higgins, Levi Hall. 
834 — No record. 

S35 — Sammy Nichols, Heman Hall. 

836 — Lyman Higgins, Heman Hall. 

837 — Heman Hall, Lyman Higgins. 

838 — No record. 

539 — Lyman Higgins, Heman Hall. 

540 — Heman Hall, Lyman Higgins. 

541 — Heman Hall, Lyman Higgins. 

842 — Lyman Higgins, Moses Pond. Martin Upson. 

843 — Lyman Higgins. Moses Pond. 
844 — Lyman Higgins, Moses Pond. 

No record until 1848. 

1848 — Levi Hall, Martin Upson. 



170 



HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 



1849 — 
1850- 
1851- 

1852- 

1853- 
1854- 

1855- 
1856 — 

1857- 
1858 — 
1859- 

1860 — 

1861 — 

1862 — 

1863 _ 

1864 — 



Lyman 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 
Martin 



Higgins, Levi Hall. 
Upson, George G. Alcott. 

1, George G. Alcott. 

1, George G. Alcott. 

, George G. Alcott. 

., George G. Alcott.- 

., George G. Alcott. 

1, George G. Alcott. 

i, George G. Alcott. 

, George G. Alcott. 

, George G. Alcott. 

, Willis Merrill. 

, Willis Merrill. 

, Willis Merrill. 

., Willis Merrill. 

, Willis Merrill. 



Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 
Upson, 



VESTRYMEN. 



1845 — Moses Pond, Martin Upson, Heman Hall, Marcus 
Minor, Levi Hall, Lyman Higgins, Hezekiah Todd. 

1846 — Moses Pond, Chester Hotchkiss, Levi Hall, Lyman 
Higgins, George G. Alcott, Hezekiah Todd, Marcus Minor. 

1847 — Lyman Higgins, Martin Upson, Hezekiah Todd, Mo- 
ses Pond, Levi Hall, Willis Merrill, Geo. G. Alcott, Marcus Mi- 
nor, Eldad Alcott. - 

1848 — Moses Pond, Chester Hotchkiss, Orrin Hotchkiss, Lu- 
ther M. Pond, Geo. G. Alcott, Hezekiah Todd, Ezra L. Todd, 
David S. Bailey, Marcus Minor, Willis Merrill. 

1849 — Moses Pond, Willis Merrill, Hezekiah Todd, Marcus 
Minor, George G. Alcott. 

1850 — Ezra L. Todd, Marcus Minor, David S. Bailey, Willis 
Merrill, Bennet Upson, Luthur M. Pond, Wells Plumb. 

185 1 — Marcus Minor, Dennis Pritchard, Hezekiah Todd, Ezra 
L. Todd, Luther M. Pond. 

1852 — Dennis Pritchard, Marcus Minor, Willis Merrill, Heze- 
kiah Todd, Moses Pond. 

1853 — Dennis Pritchard, Moses Pond, Marcus Minor. 

1854 — Willis Merrill, Hezekiah Todd, Dennis Pritchard. 

1855 — Marcus Minor, Willis Merrill, Dennis Pritchard. 



VESTRYMEN OF THE SOCIETY. 171 

1856 — Dennis Pritchard, Willis Merrill, Marcus Minor. 

1857 — Dennis Pritchard, Marcus Miner, Willis Merrill. 

1858 — Marcus Miner, Dennis Pritchard, Willis Merrill. 
1859 — Dennis Pritchard, Willis Merrill, Marcus Minor. ^ 
i860 — George G. Alcott, Marcus Minor, Dennis Pritchard. 

186 1 — Dennis Pritchard, Ezra L. Todd, Marcus Minor. 

1862 — Dennis Pritchard, Ezra L. Todd, Marcus Minor. 

1863 — Dennis Pritchard, Ezra L. Todd, Marcus Minor. 

1864 — Marcus Minor, Ezra L. Todd. 






CIVIL HISTORY OF WOLCOTT 



CHAPTER I. 

TOWN INCORPORATED. 

The Ecclesiastical Society of Farming-bury, at a Society 
meeting held December 7th, 1787, passed the following 
votes respecting the privileges of a town : "Voted that 
we are willing and desirous to be incorporated into a 
town. The negative was called, and not a hand up. 
Voted that it is our mind when made a town to be con- 
nected to New Haven County. Voted that Deacon Jo- 
seph Atkins, Capt. Nathaniel Lewis, Capt. Charles Up- 
son, Deacon Justus Peck, Streat Richards, Mark Harri- 
son, be a committee, or agents, to treat "or confer with 
the towns of Southington and Waterbury respecting our 
becoming incorporated into a town, and likewise to carry 
a memorial to the General Assembly in May next. 
Voted that we prepare a petition to the Hon. General 
Assembly for privileges of a town, at their session in May 
next." 

At an adjourned meeting on the second Monday of 
January, 1788, the Society "Voted that we will choose a 
committee to treat with the Waterbury committee re- 
specting our having town privileges, and that Captain 
Charles Upson, Daniel Byington, Streat Richards, Simeon 
Hopkins, Abraham Norton, Amos Seward, and Capt. 
Samuel Upson be the committee ; and said committee are 
desired to make their report to this meeting as soon as 
an agreement may be made ; and it is understood that 
the agreement of said committee is not binding on said 
Society until agreed to by said Society." 



iy6 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

From Bronson's History of Waterbury we learn the 
opinion of that town respecting this movement : 

In December, 1787, the inhabitants of Farmingbury presented 
a memorial, in town meeting, giving reasons why they should be 
incorporated into a distinct town, and asking the consent of the 
meeting. A committee was appointed to take the matter into 
consideration, and hear the proposals that might be made " con- 
cerning public moneys, bridges, and town's poor," &c, and report 
make. Josiah Bronson, Stephen Ives, Aaron Benedict, Ezra 
Bronson, John Welton, and Samuel Lewis were the committee. 
" It is rather a doubt in our minds," they reported, " of the expe- 
diency of granting them their request, on any consideration what- 
ever, but more especially upon the offers and proposals in several 
articles by them made." * 

On the 14th day of next April the Society "voted to 
reconsider the vote that was taken to send agents to the 
General Assembly in May next, to try to obtain privi- 
liges of a town." 

In a Society meeting, held on the 13th day of February, 
1792, this subject was again taken up. It was at the same 
meeting that voted the settlement of Mr. Israel B. Wood- 
ward. "Voted that we prepare a petition to the Hon. 
General Assembly, at their session in May next, for town 
privileges ; and Dr. John Potter, Lieut. Streat Rich- 
ards, Mark Harrison, Esq., Capt. Charles Upson, Jona- 
than Carter, Lieut. James Bailey, Daniel Byington, 
Calvin Cowles, Capt. Nathaniel Lewis, Mr. Amos Seward, 
were chosen a committee, or agents, to treat with the 
towns of Southington and Waterbury respecting the 
above petition to the Assembly." We learn from the Wa- 
terbury History that this petition was not presented in 
the Spring, but in the Autumn session of the Assembly. 

On the 8th of October, 1 792, Farmingbury applied to the 
Legislature for the desired act of incorporation. The 
town of Waterbury " voted that if the memorialists would 

* History of Waterbury, p. 282. 



ACT OF [NCORP< 'KA'I [ON. 1/7 

within eight days give up all right to the ministerial and 
school moneys, pay twenty pounds in consideration of 
being released from supporting the great bridge on the 
Woodbury road, bind themselves to take care of their 
portion, according to the grand list, of the town poor, 
and to pay their share of the town debts ; then, in that 
case, the town would not oppose the object of the memo- 
rial. "■• We find no report of the Farmingbury committee. 

In the fore part of December, 1793, the Society again 
voted to present a petition to the General Assembly, 
and appointed the following committee to attend to this 
business : Capt. Charles Upson, Mark Harrison, Esq., 
Lieut. Streat Richards, Dr. John Potter, Capt. Samuel 
Upson, Lieut. Charles Frisbie, Capt. Walter Beecher, 
Ensign Jonathan Carter, Simeon Plumb, Joseph Beecher, 
Jr., Daniel Byington, and Samuel Byington. Of this com- 
mittee we hear nothing, except that in a Society meet- 
ing on the 5th day of February, 1795, the Society voted 
that " the committee heretofore appointed to prepare a 
petition to the General Assembly for town privile 
prepare the same." Hence it is probable they had clone 
nothing about it. 

On the 25th day of April, 1796, another committee was 
appointed, and this application was successful. The 
committee consisted of Mark Harrison, Esq., Captain 
Charles Upson, Capt. Streat Richards, Mr. Jacob Carter, 
Mr. Eliakim Welton, and Mr. Elijah Frisbie. 

ACT OK THE GE1 I l.V. 

At a Genera! Assembly of the State of Connecticut, holden at 
Hartford, on the second Thursday of May, 1796 : 

Upon the petition of the inhabitants of the Society of Farming- 
bury, in the towns of Waterbury and Southington,f in the coun- 



* Waterbury History, p. 2S2. 

I When Southington was incorporated a town, from Farmington, in Oc- 
1779, the eastern part of Farmingbury was included within the boun- 
daries of Southington, ami belonged to that town until the above act took 
effect. 

13 



178 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

ties of Hartford and New Haven, showing to this Assembly that 
some years since said Society was formed by the extreme parts of 
said towns of Waterbury and Southington, with the dividing line 
of said towns and counties running from north to south through 
the centre of said Society, upon which line their Meeting house 
was erected and stands ; that their local situation is such, being 
obstructed in their travel eastwardly by a mountain, and other 
natural impediments, that great inconveniencies arise in their at- 
tending upon public meetings, and other public services and du- 
ties, and various other disadvantages are attached to them under 
their present circumstances ; praying to be incorporated into a 
distinct town, with usual town privileges, and to be added to the 
said county of New Haven, as per petition dated May 9th, 1796, 
on file ; and the said towns of Waterbury and Southington hav- 
ing withdrawn all objections against the prayer of said petition, 

Resolved, That all the land lying and being in said Society of 
Farmingbury, and according to the established lines and limits 
of said Society, be and the same hereby is incorporated into a 
town by the name of Wolcott,* and that it shall have and retain, 
and enjoy all the privileges incident and belonging to any other 
town in the State; except, only, that said town shall hereafter send 
but one representative to the General Assembly of this State, and 
that the said town of Wolcott shall hereafter support their propor- 
tion of the present town poor, according to their list in said towns 
of Waterbury and Southington, on the said 9th day of May; pro- 
vided that all debts and taxes due on said 9th of May from the 
inhabitants of said Wolcott shall be paid and discharged, as the 
same then or now remains due and owing ; and that all debts and 
credits of said petitioners with said towns of Waterbury and South- 
ington (except those appropriated for schooling in said Southing- 
ton) shall be according to their respective lists of the year 1795. 
And it is further ordered that the inhabitants of said town of 
Wolcott shall hold a town meeting on the 13th day of June next, 
for the purpose of appointing town officers, and the meeting 

* The name of the town would have been Farmingbury, but for the fact 
that Lieutenant Governor Oliver Wolcott, presiding in the Assembly when 
the bill was voted on, and there being a tie vote, he gave the " casting 
vote," which made it a town, and in honor of this fact it was called Wolcott 



CARING FOR THE POOR. 179 

shall be warned by a warrant signed by Mark Harrison, Esq., 
and posted on the public, sign-post in said town at least five days 
before holding said meeting ; and Mr. Aaron Harrison shall be 
moderator of said meeting, and said town shall then and there 
proceed to appoint a town clerk, and other town officers for said 
town, who shall continue in office until the second Monday of 
December next, or until others are chosen in their places and 
stead. 

And it is further Resolved that said town of Wolcott be" and the 
same is hereby annexed to the county of New Haven, and shall 
be and remain within and part thereof. 

A true copy of record. 

Examined by SAMUEL WYLLIS, Secretary. 

A true entry of the bill in form of the Town of Wolcott. 

Test. ISAAC BRONSON, Regr. 

The following is the agreement of the towns named 
concerning the poor : 

Know all men by these presents, that whereas the General As- 
sembly, at their session in May last, incorporated the parish of 
Farmingbury into a distinct town from a part of the towns of 
Southington and Waterbury, by the name of Wolcott, said Wol- 
cott to support their proportion of the town poor, and the town 
of Southington having appointed Asa Barnes, Ashbel Cowles, 
Elizur Andrews, Samuel Hart, and Daniel Langton, jr.. and the 
said town of Wolcott having appointed Jacob Carter, Nathaniel 
Lewis, Calvin Cowles, and Mark Harrison, a committee to divide 
said poor, which dividend is this day concluded and made mutu- 
ally by us the said committee, viz.: The said town of Wolcott do 
agree to take Elizabeth Bailey, and Susannah Bailey and her 
child, on the 13th day of December next, and Abraham Pierson 
and wife on or about the first day of said December, into their 
care as their proportion of the poor of said town of Southington, 
and said Southington does agree to take into their care as their pro- 
portion of the poor of said towns of Southington and Wolcott, 
viz : Amos Parsons, his wife and child, Rebecca Hitchcock, Amos 
Nicholson, Mary , and Eunice Buck ; said Wolcott to haw- 
no demand, of any name or nature, on said Southington; neither 
shall said Southington have any demand, of any name or nature, 



1 80 HISTORY OF. WOLCOTT. 

on said town of Wolcott, except a note of dollars, which 

note is to be delivered unto the selectmen of Southington as soon 
as said selectmen of Southington shall execute the said deed unto 
the said selectmen of Wolcott of the land deeded to said South- 
ington selectmen by Philemon Barnes, now deceased, and each of 
said towns are hereby forever discharged from any demands on 
each other up until this date, except the above deed and note. 

In testimony of the aforesaid agreement and settlement, we 
have hereunto set our hands, in Southington, this 25th day of 
November, A. D., 1796. 

Ashbel Cowles, Asa Barnes, Jacob Carter, Nathaniel Lewis, 

Calvin Cowles, Mark Harrison, Samuel Hart, Daniel Langton, 

jr., committee. 

A true copy. ISAAC BRONSON, Reg'r. 

THE FIRST TOWN MEETING. 

At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Wolcott, legally 
warned and holden according to appointment of the Hon. General 
Assembly, on the 13th day of June, 1796, Deacon Aaron Harri- 
son, being appointed Moderator, proceeded to choose the follow- 
ing gentlemen to the several offices to which their respective 
names are annexed, viz : 

Town Clerk — Isaac Eronson. 

Selectmen — Mark Harrison, Streat Richards, Jacob Carter. 

Treasurer — Mark Harrison. 

Constables — John Potter, Streat Richards. 

Surveyors of Highways — Daniel Dean, John Potter, Elnathan 
Thrasher, Simeon Plumb, Eliakim Welton, Joel Granniss, Charles 
Upson, Samuel Upson, jr., Nathaniel Lane, Jeremiah Scarritt, 
Nathan Barnes, Joseph Twitchell, Ebenezer Johnson, Truman 
Smith, Dan Tuttle, Streat Richards. 

Listers — Daniel Byington, John Potter, Isaac Bronson. 

Collector — Samuel Plumb. 

Leather Sealer — Farrington Barnes. 

Grand Jurors — Mark Barnes, Ashbel Upson, Walter Beecher. 

Tything Men — John Frisbie, David Harrison, Solomon Plumb, 
William Bailey. 

Gauger — Isaac Bronson. 

Packer — William Bailey. 



THE II ILLS OF WOLCOTT. iSl 

Sealer of Weights and Measures — William Stevens. 

Key Keepers — Calvin Covvles, Dan Tattle, Amos Upson. 

Fence Viewers — Silas Hine, David Norton, Samuel Clinton, 
Amos Brockett. 

At the same meeting, it was voted "that Messrs. Samuel 
Upson, Charles Upson, Streat Richards, Jacob Carter, 
Mark Harrison, Calvin Cowles, Nathaniel Lewis, and Dan- 
iel Byington, be a committee to reckon and settle all ac- 
counts, whether by book, note, or bond, that are or may 
be open with this and the towns of Waterbury and South- 
ington, at or before the 9th day of May last ; to divide 
the town poor (if any be) according to list, and to com- 
promise and settle all claims and demands, that are or 
may arise between this and said towns of Waterbury and 
Southington previous to said 9th day of May last, and, if 
possible, to effect such settlement, and make a true and 
just report of their doings to this town, at their an- 
nual meeting in December next. Voted, that the annual 
town meeting in this town be holden on the second 
Monday in December annually, and that the same — and 
all other ordinal'}' town meetings — be warned by noti- 
fication, set upon the sign-post eight clays previous to 
said meeting, by the selectmen of the town for the time 
being." 

Thus were the people of Farmingbury constituted a 
distinct town, by the name of Wolcott, after petitioning 
nine years, and after being an Ecclesiastical Society 
twenty six years ; and the only evil we could wish to 
Wolcott, when its century of town history shall be com 
pleted, is that its prosperity may be much greater than 
ever before, and that the celebration of that event may 
witness a population tenfold more than at any time in 
its past history. 

THE HILLS OF WOLCOTT. 

The town of Wolcott is situated on hills, there being 
only one valley of any extent within its territory, and 
that the one coming up from Waterbury to within half a 



l82 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

mile of the centre of the town. The stream of water 
called Mad River, rising in the extreme northern portion 
of the town, runs down this valley to Waterbury.* West 
of Mad River, and in the northwesterly part of the town, 
is Spindle Hill. A little to the north, on the western 
boundary of the town, and rising higher than Spindle Hill, 
is Clinton Hill, for a time called New Canaan. This is 
the highest point of land in the town, and from it may 
be seen nearly a dozen church spires, in as many villages, 
and from it also may be seen Long Island Sound and 
Long Island. A little east of Clinton Hill is a large and 
nearly barren rock, called Rattlesnake Rock. A little 
distance northeast of this rock is Becar Hill, which is 
nearly as elevated as Clinton Hill, but does not afford so 
extensive a view as the latter. South of Spindle Hill is 
Chestnut Hill, extending south to the valley of Mad River, 
where the valley is half a mile wide. Between Chest- 
nut Hill and Spindle Hill is Potucco's Ring.t The hill 
which is*iow Wolcott centre was known as Benson Hill, 
until it was called Farmingbury, and contained a settle- 
ment of but few families. A small hill south of the 
centre was called Hogfields. Woodtick;|; is in the south- 
ern part of the town, at the head of the valley that 
continues westward to the city of Waterbury. A little 
south of Woodtick is a hill with which has been connected 
a legend from which it derives the name of Tame Buck, 
and west of this is Bald Hill, and west of the Woodtick 
pond is Wolf Hill. East of the bound line, and situated 
near Mr. Shelton T. Hitchcock's present dwelling, is 
Judd's Hill, probably so called from the fact that Deacon 

* This stream, near Waterbury, was called in early times Mill River. 

•f Potucco's Ring, written 'also Petucker's Ring, derived its name from an 
Indian who kindled a fire in a circle around the hill in order to shoot deer. 
Potucco himself, remaining within the ring was burned to death. 

\ So called from a story told of a man who, having laid aside his 
coat during the day while at work, found it at night in the possession of 
an innumerable number of insects called woodticks. 



THE HILLS Of WOLCOTT. [83 

Thomas Judd, of Watcrbury, father-in-law to Mr. Thomas 
Upson, was among the first land owners on or near it. 
The hill extending northwardly from Judd's Hill was 
sometimes spoken of as a part of Southington Mountain. 
That part of it, especially, where Captain Nathaniel Lewis 
and Mr. Thomas Upson resided, was called Southington 
Mountain by Waterbury people before Wolcott terri- 
tory was settled. Southington Mountain, so called by 
Wolcott people, begins at the south-east burying ground, 
and extends northward about two miles. The land next 
to the highest in the town is in the north-east, and was 
called for man}- years Pike's Hill, and after that Rose 
Hill, and still later has been known as the Lindsley Hill. 
This hill, for some time supposed to be the highest in the 
town, is lower than Clinton Hill, is also a little lower 
than East Mountain, near Meriden, and a very little lower 
than the highest land near Long Island Sound, west of 
New Haven. 

The hills of Wolcott are composed of ledges of gray 
rock, and in many parts the rock is near the surface, or 
rising above it ; and where the rock is covered to a con- 
siderable depth, much of the soil is so filled with stones 
and small rocks that the cultivation of it is a difficult and 
laborious work. Some fields now under cultivation show 
nearly as great an area of stone as of soil, yet there are 
many acres of arable land. The greater part of the 
land under cultivation is at present devoted to grazing. 
If as much money was devoted to fertilizing the soil as 
in many other parts of the country, the trade of Wolcott 
would consist of exports more largely than imports. The 
rule governing most of the farmers at present seems to 
be, to get as much from the soil as possible and put 
nothing on it, which rule would bring barrenness to any 
land on the planet called Earth. ( )ne reason why the 
rule is in good favor, is because of the burdens laid upon 
the men left in the town, the young and strong men 
having gone away to engage in manufacturing and mer- 



184 HISTORY Of WOLCOTT. 

cantile enterprises elsewhere, and there is not force suffi- 
cient remaining to cultivate the land. Many of those 
who have emigrated from Wolcott have been remarkably 
successful, and this success abroad has been an injury, in 
one respect, for the impression seems to prevail that 
young men can make money faster and enjoy it more in 
any place other than in Wolcott. 

Those farmers who cultivate the land with energy, by 
hiring "help" and buying fertilizers, reap harvests as 
large as the average throughout the eastern portion of 
the nation. One thing sure to grow if the soil is left 
to itself, is white birch, chestnut, oak, and swamp maple 
trees. The average yearly export of wood is about four 
thousand cords, while the amount standing does not ap- 
pear to be diminished. There are many acres of land 
now called woodland that were under thorough cultivation 
from thirty to fifty years ago. Mr. Levi Atkins has land 
where once he mowed an abundant crop of hay from 
which he has taken one crop of wood, some of the trees 
being from twelve to fifteen inches in diameter, and the 
second growth of wood on the same land is now of con- 
siderable value. Others have valuable timber land where 
they mowed large quantities of hay less thin twenty* 
five years ago. Land with a full crop of wood standing 
is worth two-thirds more than without the wood, and 
when a farmer removes five or ten acres of wood, he ap- 
plies to the assessors to lessen, proportionately, the as- 
sessment on his farm ; so that the amount of the "grand 
list" is diminishing every year, for the growth of the 
wood is slow compared with the time required for the re- 
moval of it. On the other hand, the increase of the as- 
sessment list in proportion to the growth of wood is a 
very difficult matter, and one against which the people 
seem to have strong prejudices. The area of woodland 
is increasing every year, because the trees are springing 
up on grazing land in many parts with great rapidity. 
Without considerable effort to subdue these "rowinGf 



THE STREAMS 01 WOLCOTT. 1S5 

bushes they will soon become trees, and the present pas- 
tures will become forests. From the fact of this rapid 
growth of wood on land which had been under cultivation 
from forty to seventy years, it may be properly conclu- 
ded that the strength of the soil has not been exhausted, 
and hence with labor and fertilizers Wolcott soil could 
be made to produce as abundantly as ever. 

STREAMS IN WOLCOTT. 

Mad River is the largest stream within the limits of the 
town. It rises at the northern boundary and flows south 
and southwest into the Naugatuck River. Several streams 
flow into Mad River. One from Spindle Hill, called 
Stony Brook, enters the river from the west above the 
Great Falls, or the Mill Place ; another from the east, 
north of the center, enters below the Great Falls, and is 
the one on which was situated the tannery of Mr. Ira 
Hough. Another stream from Buck's Hill enters the 
river in the Big Plains, and is the one on which Mr. 
Jonathan Bement built a tannery, near Gehula Grilley's 
residence, where Mr. Isaac Hough now resides. A small 
stream east of Capt. John Alcox's residence was called 
East Misery Brook. Another from the north-eastern part 
of the town enters Mad River a little north of Woodtick, 
while another from the south-east part, called Lily Brook, 
enters a little below Woodtick. 

Three reservoirs are now constructed in this town in 
connection with Mad River, to supply the manufactories 
of Waterbury, — one in the northern portion of the town, 
covering Cedar Swamp ; another in the south-eastern, 
adjoining Judd's Hill, and the other at the north end 
of Chestnut Kill. The last named, which is not yet com- 
pleted, has been constructed at a much greater expense 
than the others ; and all of them have been built by 
Waterbury manufacturing companies. In the north-east 
part of the town is Roaring Brook, running in a south- 



186 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

eastern direction down Southington Mountain, on which 
is, at present, a saw mill of considerable power. There 
was another mill on the same stream further up, but 
nothing remains of it except the dam and the foun- 
dation walls. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE FIRST SETTLERS. 

The land in Wolcott. belonging- as it did originally to 
the towns of Farmington and Waterbury, was "taken 
up" largely by the inhabitants of those towns some years 
before any persons made their residence on these lands, 
and hence the Waterbury part of Wolcott was, much of 
it, owned by Waterbury people, and was settled largely 
by the people of that town, while the Farmington part 
was "taken up" by the people of that place, and many 
of the early residents were from that town, including 
Southington, a few coming from Wallingford. The Far- 
mington part was laid into " long lots," being in three 
tiers, of one mile each. The first tier joined the Water- 
bury, or the "bound line," the second lay east of the 
first, and the third east of the second, extending to the 
foot of Southington Mountain. The whole length of 
each " long lot " is said fin some of the deeds) to have 
been three miles. The lots were numbered from north 
to south, and must have commenced near the northern 
boundary of Wolcott. 

The earliest record of the purchase of land in this 
part of Wolcott that I have seen, except that of Mr. 
Thomas Upson, in 1732, is that by Lieutenant Heman 
Hall, on March 12th, 1750, on the long lot, number fifty- 
six ; but on this farm was then a dwelling house, in 
which Mr. Joseph Preston was probably residing. This 
house stood on the " twenty-rod highway" running north 
and south on Southington Mountain, directly east from 



I 88 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

the present gamble-roofed house which he or his son, 
Captain Heman Hall, afterwards built. Mr. Hall sold 
this farm to Mr. Preston, of whom he purchased it, and 
the deeds are dated on the same day. On the 19th of 
the same month, Mr. Hall purchased another farm on lot 
fifty-six, of a Mr. Jonathan Mott, fifty acres, "with a 
dwelling house on it and a road across it," for two hun- 
dred and ten pounds. He purchased other land near 
this in 1754, but was then residing in Wallingford, and 
did not make his residence here until after this date. In 
1753, Mr. James Pike, and his two sons, Samuel and Da- 
vid, were residing on or near Pike's Hill. Mr. Samuel 
Pike bought eighty-five acres on lot thirty-eight, of Mr. 
Robert Porter, of Farmington, for two hundred and fifty- 
pounds, in 1753, which land "butted on Waterbury line." 
Mr. Cogswell purchased of Asa Cowles a part of lot 38, 
"middle tier," in 1754. Mr. David Pike sold land to Mr. 
Daniel Mix, in 1753, it being a "part of the lot his father 
owned." Mr. Benjamin Barnes owned land near that 
purchased by Lieut. Heman Hall, in 1753, and may have 
resided on it. 

The earliest record I have seen of Mr. John Bronson 
in Wolcott, is that of 1762, but whether he was then re- 
siding here or not I am not able to say, certainly, but 
think he was. Mr. Justus Peck, afterwards Deacon, was 
in Wolcott as early as January 1 Sth, 1762. Captain Na- 
thaniel Lewis, probably, made his residence on the farm 
still known by his name, about 1760 to 1765, and Mr. 
David Frost near the same time, perhaps a few years 
later, and the Carters about 1770. The Beechers may 
have been here before 1765, as also the Brockets, Hor- 
tons, and some others who settled in the north-east por- 
tion of the town ; still, I am of the' opinion that they had 
not been here long when the Society was organized, in 
1770. 

In Waterbury part, Mr. John Alcox, of New Haven, 
was the first resident, removing hither in March, 1 73 1 . 



THE FIRST SETTLERS. 



I? 9 



In the autumn of the same year Mr. Isaac Hopkins pur- 
chased the farm in the valley cast of Chestnut Hill, and 
probably made it his residence the next year, 1732, 
the year that he was married, and on this farm he resided 
until his death. Mr. Benjamin Harrison was living on 
Benson Hill, now Wolcott Center, in 1739, when he pur- 
chased land adjoining " his own land," according to the 
reading of the deeds. He purchased one hundred and 
eleven acres of land of Stephen Hopkins, jr., of Water- 
bury, deeded July 2, 1737, which land joined on Isaac 
Hopkins' land. By the reading of some of Mr. Harrison's 
deeds it appears that other families had resided or ^vere 
residing in that portion of the town before he removed 
there. After Mr. Isaac Hopkins and Mr. Benjamin Har- 
rison, the following families became settlers in the valley 
south-west of Benson Hill : Elijah Frisbie, Roger Prichard, 
Eldad Mix, and a few others, before 1760 ; and Joseph 
Parker, Joseph Sutliff, Gehulah Grilley and Timothy 
Scott,* before 1770. On Spindle Hill, Thomas Welton 
and Eliakim Welton, and Sliadrick Benham settled soon 
after John Alcox. Mr. Amos Seward was residing east 



* Inhabitants of Waterbury 
Branch (afterwards Wolcott), 
as given in Bronson's History 
Thomas Welton, 
Benjamin Nichols, 
John Alcox, jr., 
John Ale. ix, 
Benjamin Benham, 
Seth Bartholomew, 
Joseph Sutliff, jr., 
Conrad Johnson, 
Eldad Mix, 
Edward Rogers, 
William Cole, 
Roger Prichard, 
James Bassett, 
Joseph Beach, 

Whole No. 28. 



subject 


to pay taxes in 1760, residing in East 


three miles or more from the Meeting 


house, 


of Wat 


erbury. 




£s 3 


Isaac Cleveland, 


£29 


34 


Joseph Sutliff, 


86 


54 


Sliadrick Benham, 


26 


Si 


Josiah Adkins, 


35 


40 


William Ilickox, 


52 


52 


Abial Roberts, jr., 


2 


7 


William Monson, 


13 


45 


Daniel Alcox, 


4 s 


22 


James Alcox, 


42 


21 


William Woodward, 


6 


9 


Isaac Hopkins, 


151 


96 


Barnabas Lewi-., 


36 


55 


Abial Roberts, 


73 


54 


Josiah Rogers, 


49 



Total, £1,261 



190 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

of Woocltick in 1770, and had been there some years, 
probably, and south of him were settled at that time sev- 
eral of the sons of Thomas Upson. Wait Hotchkiss came 
to Wolcott in 1765, and Abel Curtiss, Isaac Twitchell, 
and Joseph Beach, near the same time ; probably a little 
before. David Norton came about 1760. Josiah Rogers 
had been here but a short time before 1770, though his 
father, Deacon Rogers, of North Branford, purchased 
land here in 1724. Solomon Hotchkiss was an early set- 
tler on Spindle Hill, east of Mr. John Alcock's, but very 
few particulars concerning him and his family have been- 
seen» Joseph Atkins removed here about 1758. In 1770 
there were residing at the Center, then called Farming- 
bury, Aaron Harrison and the family of his brother Ben- 
jamin Harrison, Abraham Woster, John Barrett and the 
family of James Barrett, Joseph Atkins, and Josiah Tal- 
mage, and soon after were added Daniel Tuttle, Samuel 
Byington, and possibly a few others ; yet of this I am 
not certain. 

WOLCOTT CENTER IN l8oo. 

The Center, soon after the town was incorporated, was 
a place of considerable mercantile business and land 
speculations, the land sales being stimulated by the ex- 
pectation that a turnpike would be constructed from Tor- 
rington to New Haven, and that Wolcott would be an 
important station on that road. In 1796, Mr. Samuel 
Byington sold his farm and hotel, west of the Green, and 
a little southwest of the Meeting house, to Moses Todd, 
Bani Bishop, of Southington, and Hezekiah Todd, of Che- 
shire, for four hundred and eighty-four pounds. This farm 
contained forty-seven acres, the hotel and wheelwright 
shop, and was bounded on the north by Joseph At- 
kin's land, on the west by Mad River, on the south by- 
David Norton's land and the highway. In February, 
1797, this farm waspurchased by Abijah Fenn, of Water- 
town, who built in the following year, 1798, the store 



WOLCOTT CENTER IX I SOO. Kjl 

near the corner of the lot towards the Meetinghouse, 
which he built on contract for Truman Woodward and 
Amos Baldwin, said to be of Wolcott, but who, probably, 
came from Watertown, previously. In i.Soo Moses Todd 
purchased this store, and soon after sold it to Hcnham 
and Tuttle, who continued the store with great enter- 
prise for a number of years. Mr. Fenn sold his hotel and 
farm in January, 1799, to Mark Harrison, Esquire, "for 
the consideration of eighteen hundred and thirty-three 
dollars." Mr. Dan Tuttle sold his place, containing nine- 
ty-three acres, at the south-west corner of the green, in 
1797, to Moses Todd, for seven hundred and fifty pounds. 
This farm, Mr. Asaph Hotchkiss afterwards purchased, 
and resided on it some years, and gave some of it, lying 
west of the old bound line, for a public green. Mr. 
Asaph Hopkins came from East Haven to Woodtick and 
then to the Center, and was engaged largely in buying 
and selling land. 

Rev. Mr. Woodward sold the Gillet place, March 4, 
1799, to Charles Upson, Esquire, for five hundred and fifty 
pounds, and on the 26th of the same month he purchased 
of Mr. Bani Bishop " a certain piece of land about fifteen 
rods east of the Meeting house, containing about one 
acre of land, together with a large dwelling thereon 
standing, and store and horse shed near and adjoining 
the same," for eleven hundred and thirty dollars. In 
April following, he purchased of Elijah Birge thirty-five 
acres, with buildings, King north of and adjoining the 
one acre. These buildings, including a dwelling house, 
stood opposite the burying ground, and was the house 
where a fatal accident occurred." Mr. Woodward con- 



* Sonic military officers came to the house early in the morning to " wake- 
up" their fellow officer; and went into the hou>e ; upon which, the resident 
officer arose quickly and said in a joke, "Go out of my house, or 1 will 
shoot you," he, supposing his gun was not loaded, and suiting his action to 
his words, fired, and the gun being loaded with a wad, the firing proved 
fatal in a few hours. 



192 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

tinned to reside in the house east of the Meeting house 
until his death. 

The old dwelling house now st nding on the corner 
opposite the house Rev. Mr. Woodward resided in, was 
sold by Jabez Harrison, in January 1799, to Moses Todd 
and Bani Bishop. Jabez Harrison was the son of Benja- 
min, the only brother of Deacon Aaron Harrison, and 
may have resided in this house a number of years. Todd 
and Bishop sold it to Aaron Harrison, jr., the land con- 
taining about half an acre. Mr. Harrison sold the south 
part, or about a quarter of an acre, to Darius Wiard, and 
then sold the house and lot in April, 1800, to Hezekiah 
Todd and Caleb Todd, who sold it in October of the 
same year to Matthew Wiard. In December 1801, Rev. 
Mr. Woodward purchased this dv* filing, and the bound- 
aries are thus designated : "a certain lot of land lying in 
said Wolcott, about fifteen rods Southeast of the Meet- 
ing house, and is butted North on highway, East on Lu- 
cius Tuttle, South on Darius Wiard, and West on said 
Town's land, containing about twi nty-six rods of land, 
be the same more or less, with a dwelling thereon stand- 
ing." This dwelling Mr. Woodward sold to Isaac Ben- 
ham, of Waterbury, and Samuel Benham, of Wolcott, in 
1802, the latter residing in it many years. 

The house now the residence of Mrs. Johnson Alcott, 
was built by Darius Wiard, about the year 1800, and was 
the residence for a number of years afterward of Dr. John 
Potter. The house at the south-west corner of the Green 
was the residence of Mr. Daniel Tuttle for several years 
before 1797, and after that was the residence of Messrs. 
Asaph Hotchkiss, Isaac Hough, and for the last twenty 
years of Erastus W. Warner. I am of the opinion that 
the old cellar wall standing south-west of Mr. Erastus 
M. Warner's, near a large rock on east side of the pres- 
ent road, marks the place of the residence of Mr. John 
Barrett, the grave digger at the Center for many years. 

The second house on the south side of the road going 



THE PUBLIC GREEN. 193 

cast from the green appears, by a certain deed, to have 
been built by a Mr. Bishop in the summer of 1800, and it 
was afterward purchased by Mr. Lucius Tuttle, and pos- 
sibly enlarged by him. The house next this on the east 
was built by Air. Pitman Stowe, and was kept by him as 
a hotel for a number of years, after which Rev. Mr. Keys 
resided in it, and it is frequently spoken of at the present 
day as Mr. Keys' house. By some of the deeds it seems 
that there must have been a house here before the one 
Mr. Stowe built. 

On the opposite side of the road from Mr. Keys' house, 
and a little east, was the residence, for some years, of 
Deacon Aaron Harrison. It was afterward the residence 
of Deacon Isaac Bronson for a number of years, and 
then of his son, Irad Bronson. East of the site of this 
house, and within a quarter of a mile of it, are remaining 
parts of the foundation walls of three other houses that 
were probably standing in 1820. 

The house of Abraham Woster, in 1770, stood about 
three rods west of the present Meeting house ; the com- 
mittee who fixed the stake for the site of the first Meet- 
ing house said it was placed " a little north of Abra- 
ham Woster's house," but it must have been a little east 
instead of north. 

GREEN. 

The land given to the Ecclesiastical Society was lo- 
cated on the north side of the highway running east and 
west in front of the Meeting house, and all the Green 
south of this highway belongs to the town. The east 
part of this Green was given to the town 'by Charles Up- 
son, Esq., in 1801, and is described in the deed as "a 
certain piece of land being and lying in said town of Wol- 
cott, about ten rods southeast of the Meeting house, but- 
ting north on highway, east on Matthew Wiard and Da- 
rius Wiard, south on William Robinson, west on high- 
way, or the bound line. The west part of this Green was 
14 



194 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

given to the town by two individuals ; the northwest cor- 
ner, containing about a quarter of an acre, by Michael 
Harrison, in 1800, and the remaining part by Asaph 
Hotchkiss, in 1808. 

THE MILL PLACE. 

There was " Laid out to Benjamin Harrison," father of 
Deacon Aaron Harrison, "December 5, 1748, five acres of 
land in the Northeast quarter of the bounds at the Great 
Falls of the Mad River," on which he probably built a saw 
mill, for he sold the same with a saw mill on it, deeded 
November 19, 1 75 1 , to John Alcox and Abiel Roberts. 
This property, with a clothing mill then standing below 
and adjoining the saw mill, was purchased of John, Da- 
vid, and Joseph Alcox, by Abraham Norton, in 1787, and 
at this place was erected afterwards a grist mill, one half 
of which was deeded on purchase, to John Norton by John 
Alcox, James Alcox, Daniel and David Alcox, November 
I, 1793. John Norton received by gift from his father, 
Abraham Norton, one fourth part of this mill property in 
1 791, and in 1793 a dwelling house and one acre of land. 
Abraham Norton removed to Litchfield, in 1796, at 
which time his son John purchased sixty-four acres of his 
land at the mill place. The year following he sold to his 
son John thirteen acres more, it being, probably, all he 
owned in that part of the town. This grist mill was 
owned for many years by John Norton, and known far 
and near by his name. There is now standing at these 
Great Falls only a saw mill and cider mill which are 
owned by Mr. Dennis Pritchard. 

ATKINS' MILL. 

Joseph Atkins built a grist mill on Mad River, some 
twenty rods below the Great Falls, about the year 1760, 
which he continued as the only grist mill in the parish 
for twenty years or more. 

Mr. Atkins died in 1782, and in 1783 his son, Deacon 



ATKINS MILL. I95 

Joseph Atkins, sold half of this mill property to Thomas 
Upson, father of Charles Upson, and afterward Streat 
Richards owned the whole property for a number of years, 
deeding it in 1800 to Isaac Upson, with " about one quar- 
ter of an acre of land a few rods northeast of said mill, 
with a dwelling house standing on the same." Some 
years after this, the mill was removed to Woodtick, where 
it was operated as a grist mill. There is now a building 
known as the "old carding mill" standing on the site of 
Atkins' grist mill, but no work is done in it, and the indi- 
cations are that it will soon go down the river. There 
are two mills on this river a few rods below the 
"old carding mill," one a saw mill, now doing yearly a 
large amount of work. It is said that Seth Thomas made 
an agreement about the year 1800 or a little after, for 
some mill property, owned by Daniel Byington at this 
mill place, proposing to engage in the manufacture of 
clocks, and that by some peculiar requisitions after- 
wards made by Mr. Byington, and because of the want of 
encouragement from the people of the town in construct- 
ing a road from the mill place to Cheshire so that he 
could reach the market conveniently with his merchandise, 
he gave up the project, and went to Plymouth Hollow, 
and entered upon the same plan there, and the result has 
been the establishing of that enterprising village now 
known as Thomaston, Connecticut. 

WOODTICK. 

Mr. Judah Frisbie was the first settler in Woodtick, as 
far as I have learned, and he purchased his first land here 
in the autumn of 1773, but did not reside on it until some 
years afterward. His account book shows that he board- 
ed at Mr. Amos Seward's before he was married, and 
while, probably, he was working on his land and attend- 
ing to business of various kinds (for he was a busy man). 
The same book shows that he was engaged in build- 
ing, probably a house, in 1776. His brother-in-law, El- 



196 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

nathan Thrasher, was married in 1778, and probably set- 
tled on the farm now owned by Deacon Orrin Hall, the 
same year, where he resided until about 1800. Judah 
Frisbie mentions the saw mill as early as 1776, and as he 
sold lumber at different times and frequently from that 
time forward until 1790, it is probable that he owned a 
part or all of the mill. Abraham Norton sold,, one half 
of this saw mill in 1801 to Harvey Upson, the other half 
being " owned by Capt. Samuel Upson and Samuel Up- 
son, jr." 

The Atkins grist mill at the mill place was taken down 
(after 180c) and removed to Woodtick, and used for a grist 
mill for a time, and then changed into a paper mill, which 
has been greatly enlarged and improved by machinery, 
so that, at present, it is producing, yearly, a large amount 
of paper. It is now owned by Mr. Emerson M. Hotchkiss, 
late of Southington. 

HOTELS. 

The first hotel was that of Samuel Byington, on the 
west side of the Green, where he also had a wheelwright 
shop. Joseph Twitchell kept the same house after the 
year 1800, for a short time. Pitman Stowe kept a hotel 
a few years in the house that Rev. Mr. Keys afterwards 
occupied. Col. Moses Pond kept a hotel in the house 
previously occupied (about twenty-five years) by Mr. Lu- 
cius Tuttle. Daniel Alcox kept hotel for a time at the 
Center, probably in a house that stood near the corner of 
the roads east of the Center ; one of the roads going east 
toward John Bronson's, the other toward Cheshire . 
Thomas Wiard had a hotel, but in what house I know not. 

HIGHWAYS. 

One hundred years before Farmingbury parish was or- 
ganized, the hunters from Farmington followed the In- 
dian trail, or path, that passed through what is now the 
towns of Bristol and Wolcott, to the valley of the Nau- 
gatuck and to Woodbury. After the settlement of 
Waterbury, this path became the traveled road between 



HIGHWAYS. 197 

Farmington and Watcrbury, passing from Bristol over 
the hills in a direction a little south of west, through what 
is now the northwest corner of Wolcott, into the valley 
near the present village of Waterville, thence down the 
stream to Watcrbury. Tradition says this road passed 
Mr. Levi Atkins' present dwelling, and that the Indian 
trail at that point passed a little further north, near a 
large shelving rock called " Jack's Cave."'" This road 
continued to be, as I judge, the principal road between 
Farmington and Waterbury more than seventy years, 
until after the settlement of Spindle Hill. In 1750, nine- 
teen years after Mr. John Alcock settled on Spindle Hill, 
a road was laid out from Mr. Eliakim Welton's running 
east of north until it reached the road above described, 
then east to the Farmington line at the Scarritt place, 1 
it being a continuance of the road from Waterbury to 
Buck's Hill. We learn from the records that in 1754 
another road was laid out from Waterbury to "Farming- 
ton bounds." This came up the Mad River, passing Mr. 
Isaac Hopkin's dwelling, the Abel Curtiss place, the 
mill place south of the great falls, thence east through 
land now inclosed in the Center burying ground, to the 
bound line, thence north on that line to the Scarritt 
place. This road was called the East Farmington road, 
the one passing Mr. Alcox's being the west. 

When Mr. Thomas Upson settled on Southington 
Mountain there was probably no road from Waterbury to 
Southington, except a path for persons on foot and on 
horseback. The old "twenty rod highway" was the first 
laid out highway near his farm, as far as ascertained, and 
began south of Mr. Upson's dwelling (I know not how fan. 
going north past Capt. Nathaniel Lewis' and David 

*The Indians encamped under this rock nights in pacing between Far- 
mington and Woodbury. It was near this cave that the large che 
stood from which Mr. Timothy Bradley said he cut two hundred bullets, 
which were shot into the tree by the Indians while shooting at a mark. 

f See Waterbury Records. 






198 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Frost's dwelling, thence east across the brook to the' 
present burying ground, thence north on the mountain to 
the northern boundary of present Wolcott, at least, but 
more probably to New Cambridge, now Bristol. The 
deeds recorded in Farmington that I have seen mention 
this twenty rod highway as far north as the "tenth long 
lot," making it certain that the road continued north as 
far as the first of the long lots at least. The date when 
the road was laid out I have not seen, but it was there 
twenty rods wide in 1750. 

A few years after the incorporation of the town, there 
was considerable effort made by individuals and by the 
town, in town meetings, to secure a turnpike through 
the town from Torrington to New Haven. The town ap- 
pointed committees at different times to meet other com- 
mittees of the Legislature, to forward this object, and the 
town did considerable work on the road, but the project 
did not succeed. 

About the time (near 1812-15) the New Haven turn- 
pike was given up, the road on the southern boundary 
of the town running from Waterbury to Marion was made 
a turnpike, a large part of the stock being owned by ' 
the Upson families of Wolcott. 



CHAPTER III. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

As early as 1763 the people of Farmingbury winter 
parish had their own schools and were exempted from 
paying tax for schools outside of the parish, and this 
privilege was granted them until the parish was organized. 

At the first Society meeting', in Nov., 1770, a committee 
of six was appointed to divide the Society into Districts, 
and that committee made report to the adjourned meet- 
ing in the same month, whi. h report was accepted by 
the Society, but what the report was is not stated in the 
records, and hence the difficulty of ascertaining how many 
Districts were established. There are, however indica- 
tions th.it from the first, and for several years afterwards, 
there were nine districts, for the)- appointed nine men as 
committeemen, and passed the following vote : " bach 
school committee shall collect their poll rate, each one 
in his district." The words "each one in his district," 
are quite definite information that one man only was ap- 
pointed to a district. The names of the several commit- 
tees indicate where these districts were located. Joseph 
Sutliff, jr., for the Southwest district ; Joseph Atkins for 
the one at tile Mill place, for which district no name has 
been seen ; John Alcox for the West district ; Capt. 
Aaron Harrison at th.; Center; Jedediah Minor for the 
East district, near John Bronson's ; Nathaniel Lewis for 
the Southeast district ; Amos Seward for the South dis- 
trict ; Simeon Plumb for the North district, and Daniel 
Finch for the Northeast district. All these districts are 



200 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

mentioned by name as given above except the one at the 
Mill place, or at Daniel Byington's. It is probable that 
the schools in some of these districts were kept in pri- 
vate houses, and perhaps most of them at first, but when 
school houses were erected the Southeast district and the 
one at the Mill place were discontinued, as we learn of 
no school-house sites in these parts of the town. The 
East district continued many years ; the school-house 
standing at the corner of the roads a litle east of Mr. 
Mark Tuttle's present dwelling house. This was the 
house in which Mr. David Harrison taught school much 
of the time for many years. The other districts, six in 
number, still continue. 

EXPENSES OF THE SCHOOLS. 

The expenses were paid " by the poll," that is, parents 
paid for their children, for each in proportion to the 
whole number of pupils and the number of days in at- 
tendance. Under this system it was often quite difficult 
for some parents to pay their school bills, and because of 
this many children were educated very little. Until the 
town was organized, the number of months the schools 
should be kept was decided by parish vote, and usually was 
voted to be according to law, but sometimes the vote was 
to "keep eleven months school." Wages were, for a man, 
from six to ten dollars a month, for a woman one dollar 
a week, and a school bill of eighty-eight dollars for the 
year was a great amount to be paid by the district, and 
was in reality a much greater burden then than any tax 
for schooling at the present time. 

It is a matter of great congratulation to the people of 
this town that nearly three-fourths of the expenses of the 
schools are now paid by receipts other than taxes on the 
property of the town. The fund of $8,500 left to this 
town by the late Addin Lewis, of New Haven, a native 
of YVolcott, is of very great value in sustaining the 
schools. The income from this fund amounts to five hun- 



ADDIN LEWIS' BEQUEST FOR SCHOOLS. 201 

dred dollars per year, and with the fidelity continued 
that has characterized its administration hitherto, it will 
be hereafter a benefit incalculably great. That part of 
the will of Mr. Lewis which relates to Wolcott is given. 

THE WILL OF ADDIN LEWIS AS IT RELATES TO THE TOWN OF 
WOLCOTT. 

Section 8. If my said daughter shall die without disposing by 
her will of the estate mentioned in the foregoing article, I do give, 
devise, and bequeath all said estate (so not disposed of by her) to 
her lineal descendants who shall be living at the time of her 
death, in the same manner and proportions as the same would 
have descended and been distributed to them if she had owned 
the same as her own proper estate, and had died intestate and 
solvent; and if there should be no lineal descendants of my said 
daughter living at the time of her death, I give, devise, and be- 
queath ten thousand dollars of said estate to the School Society of 
the town of Wolcott, in Connecticut, for the purposes hereinafter 
expressed ; and fifteen thousand dollars of said estate to the 
School Society of the town of Southington, in Connecticut, for the 
purposes hereinafter expressed ; and five thousand dollars of said 
estate to " The President and Fellows of Yale College, in New 
Haven," for the purposes hereinafter expressed ; and the balance 
of said estate shall go to increase proportionally the devises and 
legacies given in the following articles of this will. 

And as to the said ten thousand dollars given as aforesaid to 
the School Society of the town of Wolcott, I direct that said So-" 
ctety shall hold the same as a permanent fund for the encourage- 
ment of the district schools in said town, and said Society shall 
annually pay the net income of said fund to the different school 
districts in said town in proportion to the number of children as 
ascertained by law ; but every school district shall raise and ex- 
pend for the support of district schools in such district during the 
year a sum equal to the sum to be paid to such district from the 
income of this fund, otherwise such district shall not for such year 
receive any part of said income, but the proportion of such dis- 
trict shall go to increase proportionally the sums to be paid for 
such year to the other districts as aforesaid ; and if all the school 
districts in the said town of Wolcott shall neglect for any year to 



202 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

comply with the conditions aforesaid, then the whole of the net 
income of said fund for such year shall be paid to the different 
school districts in the town of Southington for the purposes and 
on the conditions aforesaid; and if all the school districts in the 
town of Southington shall neglect for any year to comply with the 
conditions aforesaid, then the whole of the net income of said 
fund for such year shall gn to increase proportionally the devises 
and legacies given in the following articles of this will : 

And whenever any persons or corporation shall have in their hands 
money to be invested in execution of any part of this will, I do 
expressly direct that said money shall in all cases be invested in 
mortgage security of unencumbered real estate of double the value 
of the amount of the loan secured thereon ; and all loans may be 
varied from time to time on similar security. 

In regard to the Southington Academy, for the erec- 
tion and maintaining of which Air. Lewis gave fifteen 
thousand dollars, he made this provision : "And all pu- 
pils from the town of Wolcott, not exceeding ten at any 
one time, who may wish to receive instruction in said in- 
stitution, shall receive the same without any charge for 
tuition." 

The income from this Lewis Fund of Wolcott, was five 
hundred dollars for the year 1873. I n tne same year 
were received from the School Fund and State appropri- 
ation two hundred and twenty dollars ; from the Town 
Deposit Fund, one hundred and thirty dollars ; in all eight 
hundred and fifty dollars. The actual expenses of all the 
schools for the same year were about twelve hundred 
dollars. 

THE WHIPPING POST. 

The whipping post stood east of the present Meeting 
house at the Center, near the southeast corner of the 
present horse sheds. Besides the three persons men- 
tioned below, it is said, there w r ere one man and a col- 
ored woman whipped at this post for stealing. 

About the year 1815, Dr. George Williams (so he titled 



LAW IN WOLCOTT. 203 

himself), traveling through Wolcott, stayed over night at 
the house of Mark Upson, where he stole a shawl, and 
for which after trial, the court ordered seven lashes on 
the bare back. His hands were tied to the post a little 
higher than his head, and Capt. Levi Hall, constable, 
struck three blows when the lash came off, when some 
one said to the constable, " I am afraid the old man will 
not stand the blows quite so hard." The remaining blows 
were given lighter, the old man trembling greatly under 
the punishment. He was then taken to the store and his 
back washed with rum, upon which the old man said : 
" my God, that is worse than the stripes, I think I will 
have a little inside," which was not denied him. 

Pond and Granniss were convicted of stealing a cow 
about the year 1K17, tor which, after trial, the court or- 
dered seven lashes each. Their hands were tied as in 
the case of Williams, and Levi Parker, constable, laid the 
blows on Granniss with considerable severity, he remain- 
ing stubborn and making no complaint. Pond was very 
penitent, and while they were tying his hands to the 
post he prayed God to have mercy on him, the tears fall- 
ing from the eyes of many who witnessed the unpleasant 
scene. The blows were given lightly, and while putting 
on his coat, Pond said: "It is just that it was done." 
It is thought that tin's was the last whipping done at the 
whipping post in the town. 

LAW IX WOLCOTT. 

Besides the above described whipping I have heard of no 
criminal proceedings in the courts of the town, nor in the 
county, concerning the inhabitants of Wolcott, of any 
special importance, except that which was instituted in 
regard to the burning of the first Meeting house. There 
were some old " stocks" for fastening the feet of criminals, 
laid up many years in the horse sheds which stood west 
of the Meeting house, but no one remembers to have 
heard of any use to which they were ever put except to 



204 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

look at. The real facts I apprehend to have been these : 
There have existed in natural character and disposition 
of the people too much musical talent and good nature 
to allow disturbances of any serious kind to obtain a 
place of recognition among the people, and therefore 
they have worked hard, given much time and attention 
to singing, played the fife and drum, encouraged cheer- 
fulness by pleasant associations, kept out of mischief, out 
of gaol, and off the gallows, and given as earnest adherence 
to religion as the average of country towns. 

SMALL POX. 

This disease was a great terror to the people and had 
made sad desolation in several families in the town before 
the year 1800. The following record indicates the con- 
servatism of the people of those days in regard to the 
introduction of any new practice in medicine. 

"At a special Town meeting held in Wolcott on the 27th day 
of October, 1800, Dr. John Potter prayed for liberty to set up or 
introduce the small pox by inocculation, into said town under the 
care, superintendence, and direction of the civil authority and se- 
lectmen of said town for the time being, or their successors in of- 
fice, until said civil authority and selectmen, or the town at large 
by vote in legal meeting assembled, shall discontinue or suspend 
said liberty at the same meeting. 

Voted to grant the prayer of the above petition, two-thirds of 
the members [voters] present being in the affirmative." 

BURYING GROUNDS THE CENTER BURYING GROUND. 

In the Waterbury town records we learn the following 
action was taken in a town meeting held on December 
10th, 1764: " At the same meeting Capt. George Nichols, 
and Capt. Stephen Upson, jr., were chosen a committee 
to go out eastward near Joseph Atkins', to view and pur- 
chase half an acre of land, upon the town cost, in that 



BURYING GROUJS'] S. 205 

neighborhood where they shall think it most convenient 
for a burying ground."* 

The earliest record on monuments is that of Lieut. 
Heman Hall, bearing date 1769. 

In the Wolcott town records are found the following- 
entries : 

December 11. 1797. Voted that Messrs. .Mark Harrison 
Charles Upson, Streat Richards, ami Moses Todd, be a commit- 
tee to confer with William Stevens to investigate and search into 
the circumstances of the Center Burying Ground, to see if it is 
the property of said Stevens, as is by him asserted, and also to 
settle and compromise the matter with said Stevens if it appears 
to be his property, by exchanging a certain quantum of highway 
now in the enclosure of said Stevens therefor, and also to draw 
upon the treasurer for a small sum in order to enlarge said bury- 
ing ground to three-fourths of an acre; provided they think 
proper, and cannot obtain it without. 

On the 9th day of April next the town meeting ap- 
pointed another committee " to negotiate with William 
Stevens concerning the Center Burying Ground, to en- 
large the same to three-fourths of an acre, to exchange 
the highway now enclosed in said Stevens' lot as part 
payment, etc., and make report of their doings at the an- 
nual meeting in December next." At the annual meeting 
in next December the report of the committee was ac- 
cepted, and the selectmen were authorized to attend to 
the execution of the deeds. 

The three-quarters of an acre became too small, and 
about 1870 the ground was again enlarged, so as to in- 
clude nearly two acres. 

* Mr. Bronson, in the History of Waterbury, page 229, in a note, make-, 
a mistake in supposing this ground to be the one at East Farms, for it was 
to he ••near Joseph Atkins'," and he never resided al East Farms. Be- 
sides, the East Farms ground was laid out since the memory of soirn 
sons now living. lie says this burying ground, near Atkins', was on Farm- 
ington road, which was true ; but Farmington road, instead of going direct 
to Southington, turned up Mad River, and through New Cambridi 
Farmington. 



206 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

pike's hill burying ground. 

This ground was laid out about 1774, by a committee 
of the Society appointed to " fix a place or places for 
burying grounds." The ground is located on the north 
declivity of the hill adjoining the Alcox road, in a most 
picturesque place. Here but few graves were made, 
some of whichfwere afterwards removed to the ground 
east at the foot of the same hill, about fifteen yet remain- 
ing. Graves continued to be made in this ground until 
1805, when the one east was constructed, and all burying 
ceased in the old yard, it having been used but thirty 
years. Some five or six monuments remain having in- 
scriptions on them ; the other graves are indicated by 
small field stones. The inscriptions below are given 
precisely as'they are written on the head stones : 

3n illemorw of Jflrs. 

RACHEL BRACKITT, who 
Died October ye 17th, 1776,/// 

V E 22D YEAR OF HER AGE. 

' While you are blooming young and spiy 
Perhaps you think you ne'er shall die ; 
But here's a witness of the truth, 
That you may die when in your youth. 

$ere £ietl) iFntemb 

THE BODY OF MR. 

MATHEW BLAKSLEE. 

HE DEI'ARTED THIS 
LIFE MAY YE 2S, A. D. 

1776, in ye blst year 
of his age. 



BURYING GROUNDS. 207 

JJn fllcmorn of 

THE WIDOW RHODA 
BLAKSLEE, the wife of 

MR. MATHEW BLAKSL1 I . 
DEPARTED THIS 
LIFE M \Ki H I2 TH i A. I). 
178 r, in the 63"' 

of her at . 

The foregoing inscriptions are on brown stone. The 
following are on blue stone : 

3n fUcmorw of 
Mr. ABNER BLAKS- 

LY. HE DIED NOV. 
2-jtfi. A. D., 1 791, /;/ 
Ihc 51 year of 
hit 

3 1 f) a m e r , 

SON TO 

JESSE and PATIENCE ALCOX, 

Died Aug. qth, 177s, 

£ 11 m a n , 

SON TO 

JESSE and PATIENCE ALCOX, 

Died Nov. \-th, 17S1, 
M. 16. 



208 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

The foregoing are all the inscriptions that remain in 
the old ground. 

THE NEW NORTHEAST BURYING GROUND. 

At a Town meeting held April 8, 1805, the meeting 
voted, "That the selectmen be authorized to purchase at 
the expense of the town such quantity of land and in 
such place as they in their discretion think proper and 
best, to be appropriated as a burying ground in the north- 
east quarter of the town ; and that one rod in width be 
taken from the south side of the highway running east 
and west by the proposed burying ground the whole 
length of said ground and appropriated as a part thereof." 

This new ground is on a gravel knoll at the foot of the 
hill east of the old ground, and is the one now in use as 
the northeast burying ground. 

THE SOUTHEAST BURYING GROUND. 

In March, 1772, the Society appointed a committee to 
"fix a place or places for burying grounds," and in 1776 
it appointed three grave diggers, which indicates the ex- 
istence of three graveyards, and their location defined by 
the residence of the three men — Mr. John Barrett at the 
Center, where he had filled the same office several pre- 
vious years ; Mr. Zadoc Bronson at the northeast, and 
Mr. David Frost at the southeast. The earliest inscrip- 
tion on any monument in the Pike's Hill yard is dated 
May 28, 1776; the earliest date in the southeast yard is 
January 1, 1782, and is the grave of Archibald Upson, 
who died with small-pox. 

THE SOUTHWEST BURYING GROUND. 

At a Town meeting held Nov. 20, 1807, the meeting 
voted, " That Isaac Bronson, Mark Harrison, and Isaac 
Upson be a committee to view the circumstances of the 
southwest part of the town, and if they judge proper, lay 
out and purchase a burying ground in such place as they 
judge most convenient, and that the committee be au- 



YANKEE PEDDLERS. 209 

thorized to draw on the town treasurer for payment of 
tlu sum which they shall agree tog r said -round, 

and take a deed thereof to the town.'' This is the pres- 
ent Woodtick burying ground. 

THE YANKEE PKDDLERS. 

The Yankee peddler has been a celebrated character 
in the Middle and Southern States more than in the 
Eastern, yet the origin of this kind of merchant was in 
the New England States, particularly in Connecticut. 
Wolcott raised from thirty to fort) men who engaged at 
different times quite largely in this business, traveling 
through all the Middle States, and most of the Southern 
during the years from 181O to 1840. Among the first 
who went out were Samuel Horton, Timothy Hotchkiss,. 
Lyman Higgins, and Chester Hotchkiss. These sold 
"tin ware and Yankee notions ;" beginning about 1810 
and continuing for a number of years in the employment 
of a firm in Southington, and traveling mostly in Virginia, 
North Carolina, and South Carolina. 

When Mr. Eli Terry," then of Plymouth, completed 
in the year 1810, the first great contract of four thousand 
clocks, for a Waterbury company, the Yankee peddler was 
wanted to sell these clocks, and Wolcott not only fur- 
nished an important man, in the person of Seth Thomas 
to make these clocks, but also men to sell them. Mr. 
Terry's shop was on Hancock River, at a place known 
since as Hoadleyville, being about a mile west of the 
boundary of Wolcott. The cords for these clocks were 
spun by Wolcott women from flax raised in Wolcott, and 
much of the inside woodwork of these clocks was made 
of Wolcott " ivy" or "laurel," of which there is still an 
abundance. For many years this work occupied the at- 
tention of Wolcott people, and fur shed them extra 
work in winter and some additional comforts of life. For 



* Sec History of " American Clock Making " by Henry Terry, of Water- 
bury ; and also the Biography of Mr. Seth Thomas, in this book. 

15 



2IO HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

a few years the clock peddling was confined mostly to 
the New England and Middle states, and was a different 
work from the selling of Yankee notions. The clocks were 
sold on " trial," the agent calling for the money six or 
more months after the delivery of the clocks, but the reg- 
ular Yankee peddler sold for cash, if (as we have often 
heard him announce), he sold "two shillings worth for a 
six pence," at which ruinous prices his wife and babies 
certainly would starve. 

About 1820 the spirit of enterprise called out a new 
and more numerous company of young men in the work 
of selling tin ware and Yankee notions, in the Southern 
States. Among these were Ephraim Hall, Seth Horton, 
Holt Hotchkiss, A. Bronson Alcott, Thomas Alcott, Ja- 
son Hotchkiss, Leverette Kenea, William Cowles, Levi 
Frisbie, and many others. Some went out with a horse 
and peddler's wagon, selling tin ware, razors, pins, 
needles, patent medicines, peppermint essence, suspend- 
ers, and a large number of such like things, called " Yan- 
kee notions ;" others sold dry goods only, carrying them 
in two large trunks made for that purpose. Some of 
these men went in this employment one or two winters, 
while others continued until near the time of the late 
rebellion. Mr. Thomas Alcott was one of these, but the 
articles which he sold in later years consisted of carriages 
of various kinds, which he sold frequently on time, and 
hence lost considerable money by the war. The effect 
of this work on the young men, was to introduce them 
into mercantile life, which many of them continued, in 
one form or another, in different parts of the country, 
most of them making their homes and establishing them- 
selves in business elsewhere, rather than in Wolcott. 

TAXES. 

The grand list was in i860, $291,827 ; in 1865, $297,891 ; 
in 1870, $248,677; in 1871, $243,640;. in 1872, $236,545; 
in 1873, $241,100. The tax collected in 1872 was eleven 



TAX ASSESSMEN I' 



II 



mills on the dollar, and that for 1873 is ten mills. The 
decrease of the grand list, as appears above, is mostly in 
consequence of the decrease of cattle and money at inter- 
est, considerable money having been placed in United 
States bonds, and other untaxable property. 

The following is a town rate made on the list of [789, 
of two pence half-penny on the pound, on the inhabitants 
of Farmingbury, in Waterbury." 





s. 


d. 






s. 


d. 


John A 


12 


10 


John Frisbie, 




3 


9 A 


James Alcox, 


13 


9 


Gehulah Grilley, 




r 


7 


David Alcox, 


9 


1 1 


Cyrus Grilley, 




4 


s^ 


Solomon Alcox, 


7 


11J2 


Isaac Hopkins, 




M 





Samuel Alcox, 


8 


10 


Wait Hotchkiss, 




8 


*A 


John B. Alcox, 


6 


S 


Simeon Hopkins, 




10 


sA 


Daniel Alcox (Southington), 








Joel Hotchkiss, 




2 


sA 


Sarah Atkins, 




9/2 


Daniel Johnson, 




1 


*A 


Joseph Atkins. 


3 


4% 


John Kenea, 




4 


2A 


Samuel Bartholomew, 


9 


10 


1 >aniel Lane, 




1 


i°A 


Samuel Byington, 


19 


3 


Nathaniel Lane, 




5 


oA 


Warner Barnes, 


6 


6^ 


Asahel Lane, 




5 


5 


Isaac Blakeslee (N. Haven) 


1 


iK 


Joseph Mallery, 




4 


9 


Amos Beecher, 





10 


Jedediah Minor, 







9 


Ezekiel Barnes, 


1 


(>A 


Joseph Minor (Southington) 


1 


1 1 


Josiah Barnes, 


4 


9 l A 


Caleb Minor 




6 


1% 


Abel Baldwin (Watertown), 





6^ 


Abraham Norton, 




17 





Daniel Byington, 


10 


5 


Ozias Norton, 




7 


8 


Jonah Byington, 


3 


9 


Noah U. Norton, 




7 


*A 


David Beckwith, 


3 


vA 


Ruth Norton, 







SA 


Thaddeus Barnes, 





i# 


Joseph Noyce (Stratfo 


rd), 


5 


1 


Moses Byington, 


4 


o j A 


Joseph M. Parker, 




1 


4 


Sturges Burr (N\ Haven), 





1 


Streat Richard,, 




11 


2 


Abel Curtis. 


8 


4'3 


Tim >thy Scott, 




1 


4 


Joseph Curtiss (Stratford), 





VA 


William Stephens, 







3A 


Jonathan Carter, 





rA 


Ephraim Smith, 




4 


iA 


Daniel Dean, 


5 


*A 


Ephraim Smith, jr., 




8 


9 


Elijah Frisbie, 


4 





Joseph Sutliff, 




4 


4 


Judah Frisbie, 


9 


1 


Joseph Sutliff, jr., 




5 


9 


Charles Frisbie, 


7 


9 


Nathan Stephens, 




8 


oA 



* The original copy of this paper is in the possession of Mr. Silas B. Ter- 
ry, of Waterbury, and was brought to light at the Centenary meeting. 



212 



HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 



s. 


d. 




s. 


d 


12 


5% 


Samuel Upson, 


14 


7 


7 


IO 


Ashbel Upson, 


6 





4 


\oy 2 


Ezekiel Upson, 


2 


10 


5 


9 


Charles Upson, 


10 


s>£ 


2 


5 


Eliakim Welton, 


3 


7 


5 


nK 


Eliakim Welton, jr. 


10 


b% 


o 


5/ 2 


Benjamin Welton, 


7 


1 


4 


6 


Thomas Welton, 


9 


S 


6 


$ 


David Wakelee. 


7 


4 


IO 


$y 2 


Eliakim Welton, 3d, 


5 


A l /z 


o 


7 


Eben Welton, 


6 


2^ 


o 


3 


Philemon Wilcox, 


4 


**A 



Nathaniel Sutliff, 

Amos Seward, 

Justus Scott. 

Josiah Talmage, 

John Talmage, 

Jacob Talmage, 

Moses Todd (N. Haven), 

Joseph Twitchell, 

Elnathan Thrasher, 

James Thomas, 

Amos Upson (Southington), 

Josiah Upson, do 



The sum total is found to be, errors excepted, ^24 7 g^£ 

The foregoing rate, made this qth day of February, 1790, by us. 

EZRA BRONSON, 
SAMUEL JUDD, 
EPHRAIM WARNER, 
SIMEON HOPKINS, 
EBENEZER HOADLEY, 

Selectmen of Waterbury. 

The order of the court to collect was made to Capt. 
Charles Upson, collector of the town rate in the town of 
Waterbury, in New Haven county, and signed by "Ezra 
Bronson, Justice Peace." 



CHAPTER IV. 

ROLL OF HONOR. 

The following lists are believed to be complete, except 
that of the Revolutionary soldiers, which, probably, con- 
tains about two-thirds of those who were engaged in 
that war : 

LIST OF FREEMEN IN THE TOWN OF WOLCOTT. 

September, 1800 — Isaac Hopkins, Joseph Beecher, Joseph 
Smith, Aaron Harrison, David Norton, Joseph Sutliff, Rev. Israel 
B. Woodward, Ebenezer Johnson, Abel Curtiss, Jeremiah Scarritt, 
Nathaniel Sutliff, Moses Pond, Streat Richards, Mark Harrison, 
Charles Upson, Elisha Horton, Jacob Carter, Stephen Carter, 
Thomas Upson, Walter Beecher, Charles Frisbie, John Potter, 
David Harrison, Joseph M. Parker, Farrington Barnes, Daniel 
Johnson, Moses Todd, William Stephens, John Frisbie, Wait 
Hotchkiss, Preserve Carter, Samuel Upson, jr., Amos Upson, 
Mark Barnes, Joseph Beecher, jr., John Bronson, Elijah Perkins, 
Samuel Clinton, James Bailey, Philemon Wilcox, Philo Thomas, 
Isaac Bronson, Gideon Finch, Titus Sutliff, David Pardee, John 
Sutliff, Harvey Upson, David Frost, Darius Wiard, Jacob Tal- 
mage, Daniel Deane, Richmond Hall, Abner Hotchkiss, Nathan- 
iel Lewis, Justus Peck, Calvin Cowles, Judah Frisbie, Simeon 
Plumb, Amos Brockett, Joseph Minor, Samuel Horton, Isaac 
Upson, Abel Beecher, David Wakelee, Joel Hotchkiss, Zephana 
Parker, Nathaniel Lane, John Norton, Jared Welton, Benoni Gil- 
let, Zuar Brockett, Aaron Wiard, John J. Kenea, Eliakim Wel- 
ton, Jesse Alcox, Joseph Twitchell, Justus Scott, Nathan Barnes, 
Bani Bishop, David Alcox, Ashbel Upson, John Hitchcock, Enos 
Beecher, Luther Atkins, Nathan Scarritt, John Clark, Samuel 



214 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Plumb, Solomon Plumb, Jesse Alcox, jr., Solomon Alcox. He- 
man Hall, David Talmage, Jesse Pardee, James Scarritt, Moses 
Byington, Timothy Bradley, Selah Steadman, Washington Upson, 
Michael Harrison, James Alcox, jr., Seymour Welton, Wil- 
liams Bailey, Amos Baldwin, Philenor Bronson, Appleton Lewis, 
Samuel Horton, jr., Reuben Lewis, Levi Johnson, Truman Wood- 
ward, Abijah Fenn, Cyrus Clark, Josiah B. Morse, John B. Alcox, 
Mark Alcox, Joseph C. Aicox, Royce Lewis, Joseph Sutliff, jr., 
Michael Sutliff, Aaron Harrison, jr., Andrew Jerome, Lee Upson, 
Elijah Royce. 

April, i8or — Nathan Johnson, Shubael Upson, John Thomas, 
Luther Hotchkiss, James J. Truesdel, Levi Atkins, Joseph 
Plumb, Amasa Bradley. September, 1801 — Elijah Rowe, Na- 
thaniel Sutliff, jr., Lucius Tuttle. 

April, 1802 — Joel Alcox, Ebenezer Beecher, John Bronson, jr., 
Ashbel Atkins, John Dean. September, 1802 — Gates Upson, 
Thomas Wiard, Caleb Minor, Joshua Minor, Mark Welton. Gid- 
eon Finch, jr., Moses Bradley, Manly Upson, David Alcox, jr., 
Obed Alcox. 

ril, 1803 — Josiah Thomas, Silas Weed, Elijah Lane, Isaac 
Downes. Ransom Frisbie, Timothy Hotchkiss. September, 1803 

— John Wiard, Stephen Carter, jr., Truman Smith, David Bailey, 
Rollin Harrison. Ephraim Smith, jr., Eleazer Finch, Marvin Beck- 
with. 

April, 1804 — Jesse Silkriggs, Richard O. Hopkins, Elihu 
Moulthrop, Josiah Lane, Elias Welton, Gamaliel Plumb, Nathan 
Sutliff, Miles H. Richards, Leonard Harrison, David Scarritt, 
Prince Duplex. September, 1804 — Levi Hall, Miles Hotchkiss, 
Abiathar Sutliff, Joseph Welton, Jesse Dutton, Aaron Wiard. 

April, 1805 — Moses Welton, Eldad Alcox. September, 1805 

— Amos Parsons, Adonijah Moulthrop, Archibald Minor, David 
Frisbie, Amasa Mix, Titus Brockett, Asahel Bradley, Solomon 
Wiard, Levi Brown, Truman Sandford, James Bartholomew, Har- 
vey Hopkins. 

April 1806 — Silas Hine, Seth Thomas, William Hotchkiss. 
September, 1806 — David Churchill, Lester Scarritt, David M. 
Beach. 

April, 1807 — Zephana Potter, Thomas Upson, Loammi Carter,. 



LIST OF FREEMEN. 2 15 

Luther A. Richards, Jared Harrison. September, 1807 — Isaac 
Curtiss, Sylvester Beecher, Isaac Frisbie, Asahel Brockitt, Joseph 
Minor, jr. 

April, 1S08 — Orrin Rice. Ira Hough. Nathaniel Barnes, Na- 
tha Lie! G. Lewis. Bildad Hotchkiss, Aaroiv Pond, Clark Bronson. 
September, 1808 — Eldad Par] :r, Miles Harrison, Daniel Bying- 
ton, jr., John Curtiss, Asa Granniss. 

April, 1809 — Lyman Higgins. September, 1809 — Irad Bron- 
son, Aaron Harrison, jr.. Justus L. Peck. 

April, 1810 — Archibald Barnes. September. 1810 — William 
Bartholomew, Samuel Bartholomew, son. 

April. 18 r 1 — Jairus Alcox. September, 18 n — Uri. Carter. 
Elisha M. Pomeroy, David S. Grillee. 

April. 1812 — Mark Upson, Alpheus Pond. September, 1812 

— William Parker, [rad Wakelee, Orrin Plumb, Anion Bradley. 
April. 1813 — Orrin Jackson, Ziba Norton, Levi Parker. Sep- 
tember. 18 13 — Simeon N. Norton. 

April, [814 — • Hezekiah B Aaron Finch, Thomas Hor- 

ton. September, 1814 — Reuben Carter. 

April, 18 15 — Stephen Harrison. September, 18 15 — Bar- 
tholomew Curtiss. Ransel Brockitt. 

iril, 1816— Jerry Todd, Streat Todd, David R. Upson, Levi 
B. 1 Truesdell, Thomas H. Welton. September, 18 16 

— Eben S. Bartholomew, Seth Horton, Marvin Minor, Harpin 
Hotchkiss. M inor. 

[ohm Ke I ibie, Jeremiah 

Sperry. iber, 18 17 — Alpheus Bradley, Green Perl 

Han tveland, Willard Plumb. 

April. 1S1S — Asahel Levis, Irad Harrison. July, 1818 — 

Bela Rose, Samuel Merriman, Milo G. Hotchkiss, Luther Roper, 

Leveret Kinnea, Jedediah G. Alcox. September, 1818 — CI 

1 cey Royce, A Ucox, John Beecher, jr., William Smith, 

Frisbie, [oseph P. Sandford, Anson G. Lane, Osmon 

Norton. 

April, 18 19 — Luther W. Plumb, Bazilla Bradley, John A. Pot- 
ter, Salmon Johnson. 

April, 1820 — Amos Bradley, Orrin Hall, Samuel W. Upson, 
William A. Alcox, William P. Turtle. 



2l6 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

April, 182 1 — Leonard Horton, Marcus H. Upson, Wells 
Plumb, Leonard Beecher, John S. Atkins, Jesse Barnes. 

April, 1822 — Osee Talmage, Robert A. Hickox, Cyrus C. 
Upson, Albert R. Potter, Shelden Welton, Garry Atkins, Chester 
Andrews. 

April, 1823 — Jonathan Bement, Jerry Upson, William Munson, 
Almus Wakelee, Fitch A. Higgins, Anson Upson, Timothy Brad- 
ley, 2d, Jonas Hickox. 

April, 1824 — Edward Lewis, Jacob Talmage, jr. 

April, 1825 — Amos B. Alcox, Abraham Norton, Asaph Hotch- 
kiss, Lucius Alcox, Ira Frisbie. 

April, 1826 — Mark Tuttle, Ansel H. Plumb, William R. Brad- 
ley, Marshall Upson, James Bailey, jr. 

April, 1827 — Ephraim Hall, John A. Bradley, Lucius Tuttle, jr. 

April, 1828 — Ard Welton, George G. Alcox, Luther Bailey. 

April, 1829 — Martin Upson, Wyllis Merrils, Prosper Hull, 
Erastus Nichols, Erastus Atkins. 

April, 1830 — George Griswold, Hezekiah T. Upson, David 
Beecher, Harley Downs. Alben Alcox, Jesse L. Nichols, Albert 
Boardman, Orrin Byington, Asa Boardman, Alfred Lewis. 

April, 1 83 1 — David Bailey, Addison Alcox, Alfred Churchill, 
Loman Upson, Orestus Welton, Ezra L. Todd, Henry Minor, 
Marcus Upson, Northrop Jackson, Kneeland S. Hall, Charles H. 
Upson, Salmon Upson, James Alcox, jr. 

April, 1832' — Jarvis B. Bronson, David Scarritt, jr., Russel 
Rowe, Levi Moulthrop, Shelden Smith, Isaac Alcox, William 
Blakeslee, Russel Upson. 

April, 1833 — Abraham Tuttle, Rollin Tuttle, Lloyd Lewis, 
Thomas J. Lewis, Anson H. Smith, Joel Alcox, Sylvester Frost, 
Henry Harrison, Selah Upson, Henry D. Upson. 

April, 1834 — Chester Hotchkiss, Stillman Bronson, Matthew 
S. Norton, Ives Lewis, Geo. W. Carter, Geo. Mansfield, Edward 
Welton, Selim Doolittle, Eri Welton, Chauncey Woodbridge. 

April, 1835 — Johnson Alcox, Thomas Alcox, Sylvester Brad- 
ley, Isaac Hough, Levi Atkins, jr., Simeon H. Norton, Daniel T. 
Todd, Lucian E. Hickox, Levant D. Johnson, George Plumb, 
Martin L. Andrews, Thomas Upson, jr., Jeremiah S. Plumb, 
Henry Beecher, Newel Minor, Dennis Lewis. 



LIST OF FREEMEN. 217 

April, 1836 — Lucien Upson, Sherman Moulthrop, William 
Johnson, Ezra S. Hough, Seth Wiard, Upson Higgins, David B. 
Frisbie, Romeo Upson, Timothy N. Upson. 

April, 1837 — Lewis Churchill, Ransom S. Todd, Harvey 
Thomas, Elihu Moulthrop, jr. 

April, 1838 — Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Hendrick Norton, Lucius 
Upson 

April, 1839 — Edward W. Thomas, Rollin Harrison, Levi Fris- 
bie, Lucius B. Welton, James Scarritt. 

April, 1840 — Joel Brown, by certificate; Ira H. Hough, Isaac 
Hotchkiss, Harvey G. Plumb, John Hummiston, Jason Hotch- 
kiss, Moses Pond, Charles Byington, Rufus Norton, Isaac Pardee; 
Elias Mix, by certificate; Dagget Barnes, by certificate. No- 
vember, 1840 — Hezekiah Brown, by certificate ; Mahlon Hotch- 
kiss; Miles B. Ford, by certificate ; David Warner, by certificate 
Lewis Johnson, by certificate ; Lynde Preston, by certificate 
Merritt Welton, by certificate; Philip A. Cowles, by certificate 
Algernon Newcomb, by certificate ; Rufus Hotchkiss, by certifi- 
cate ; Sellock J. Nichols, by certificate. 

March, 1841 — Charles Rose, Daniel Holt; Lucius Tuttle, by 
certificate; Harrison Welton. April, 1841 — Henry G. Hotch- 
kiss, by certificate ; Frederick J. Bunnell. 

March, 1842 — Samuel Downs, by certificate. April, 1842 — 
Augustus Minor, Miles S. Upson, Eli Alcott, Asaph H. Upson ; 
Francis Wood, by certificate ; James Seeley, by certificate. 

March, 1843 — John Dorman. April, 1843 — William Wiard, 
Andrew J. Plumb, Benjamin F. Finch ; Julius A. Sandford, by 
certificate; Ambrose I. Downs, by certificate ; Asahel Lane, by 
certificate. October, 1843 — Jabez Hard, by certificate. 

April, 1844 — Joel W. Upson, Hezekiah Todd; Willis Upson, 
by certificate ; Charles Kirk, by certificate ; William Welton, by 
certificate ; Norris Clark, by certificate ; Elias Brooks, by certifi- 
cate. October, 1844 — David F. Welton, Robert C. Todd, 
George C. Nichols, Samuel Nichols; Lucius Tuttle, by certificate; 
David Nichols, by certificate ; Levi Norton, by certificate ; Albert 
W. Hubbard, by certificate. 

March, 1845 — Richard Mansfield, Noble Baldwin ; Joseph 
Guernsey, by certificate ; Algernon S. Plumb, by certificate ; Her- 
mon Woodin, by certificate. 



2l8 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

April, 1846 — Uriah S. Tompkins, by certificate; Alva An- 
drews, by certificate ; Levi Barnes, by certificate ; Isaac Bates, 
Leroy O. Phillips, John H. Holt, Marshall Minor, Herrick Payne, 
by certificate ; Isaac B. Baxter, by certificate ; Cyrus Barnes, by 
certificate; Heraan W. Hall, Cyrus Beach. 

March, 1847 — John L. Beach, James M. Scarritt, Samuel 
Butler, Robert Hoadley, John Welton, John M. Beecher, Orlando 
Plumb, Chauncey P. Welton, David A. Sandford. April, 1847 — 
Orrin F. Hotchkiss, Luther M. Pond, William B. Barnes ; Daniel 
Lane, by certificate ; Edward J. Hall ; Charles Dean, by certifi- 
cate; Linus Barber, by certificate ; Bennett Upson, by certificate ; 
Bennett J. Wakelee. 

November, 1848 — James L. Kenea, Samuel Brooks, Willis 
Bunnell ; William Henry, by certificate ; Nelson Thorp, by cer- 
tificate. 

April, 1849 — Noah H. Byington, Peter Brockett, Jesse Brock- 
ett. 

April, 1850 — Sherman E. Welton, Asahel Brockett, Henry 
Todd, Charles A. Welton ; Ira H. Smith, by certificate ; Joel John- 
son, b/ certificate; David F. Johnson, by certificate; Smith B. 
Pritchard, by certificate ; Friend C. Eggleston. 

April, 1 85 1 — Asahel Brockett, by certificate; Stephen L. Nor- 
ton, by certificate ; Amos Brockett, by certificate ; George W. 
Royce, by certificate; Asa Farrel, by certificate ; Zadoc B. Bas- 
sett, by certificate ; Willis Jerome, John L. Bradley. 

April, 1852 — Lyman G. Bradley, by certificate; William Peck- 
ham, by certificate ; George W. Winchell, Richard A. Lane, 
Charles W. Beach. October, 1852 — Sheldon B. Welton, Charles 
Allen, Albert N. Lane, Chester A. Andrews. November, 1852 — 
Erastus W. Warner, by certificate ; David S. Smith, by certifi- 
cate; Silas Pardee, by certificate; Merrit Beach, by certificate; 
Joseph H. Hull, by certificate ; William C. Pluymut, by certifi- 
cate ; Bunville A. Bradley, Henry Lum, David H. Frost, Linus 
Thorp, Martin L. Hine. 

April, 1853 — Dwight L. Kenea, by certificate ; Daniel Riggs, 
by certificate ; John Hurd. 

April, 1 85 4 — Andrew J. Slater, Orimel S. Webber, Albert P. 
Hitchcock, Samuel E. Davis, Erastus Todd, Roswell Pardee, 
Jeremiah S. Thomas, by certificate ; Horace P. Leonard, by cer- 



LIST OF FREEMEN. 219 

tificate; Liberty C. Palmer, Luther W. Plumb. October. 1854 
— Samuel M. Turtle; Hiram Chipman, by certificate. 

April, 1855 — Frederick C. Slade, George F. (bites, Moses 
Bradley, Henry C. Walker, Ezra A. Pierpont, Burritt W. Beecher, 
Frederick L. Nichols, Samuel N. Sperry, Wallace H. Lee, Abi- 
ram S. Atwood, Aaron C. Beach, by certificate ; Samuel M. Bai- 
ley, by certificate ; Benjamin P. Downs. David H. Nichols, by 
certificate; Luther Higgins, William Waldon, by certificate. 

April, 1856 — Darius Hummaston, Hiram Welton, William 
McNeil, by certificate; Shelton T. Hitchcock, 1 cate ; 

Wheaton S. Plumb, by certificate. October, 1856 — George L. 
Marks. November. 1S56 — James B. Norton, Martin V. B. Hotch- 
kiss. Frederick M. Upson, Lucien S. White, Henry A. Johnson, 
Horace R. Roberts, by certificate; Edwin Hough, by certificate; 
John I). Lane, by certificate; Elmon E. Smith, John J. Ga 
by ce tificate; Robert Atkins, by certificate. 

April, 1857 — Lucien Alcott. 

April, 1858 — Henry D. Todd, Theodore Moulthrop, Daniel 
S. Rowe, James Foley, Patrick Foley, Joseph N. Millard, by cer- 
tificate; John D. Pritchard, Levi W. Plumb, George S. Marks, 
Henry Aldrich. Lyman B. Bronson, Ozias \\ iter. 

April. 1859 — Linas Lane, by certificate; Joseph Fairclough, jr., 
Adna Andrews. Homer F. Bassett, William 15. Rase ; Nelson 
Thorp, by certificate ; Henry Chatfield, William Sherwood, Rod- 
ney F. Norton, Clark Wright, Sidney W. Alcott. by certificate. 

April, i860 — Amos M. Alcott, Theron Minor, George E. Al- 
cott ; Edwin Perkins, by certificate; Henry Rose. Andrew A. Nor- 
ton. Berlin J. Pritchard, Emerson C. Bradley, John P. Butler ; 
James W. Hough, by certificate. October, i860 — David E. 
Downs, Lucius F. Norton ; Philo Andrews, by certificate ; Ho- 
bart Smith, by certificate. 

March, 1861 — Newel Moulthrop; Henry L. Lane, by certifi- 
cate ; Henry B. Carter, Leroy LIpson. 

March, 1862 — Timothy Root; Arthur Byington, by certificate 
William Shipley, by certificate ; Ezra E. Bassett, by certificate 
Edward Johnson, by certificate. April, 1862 — John E. Wiard 
Elmer W. Hitchcock, by certificate. 

March, 1863 — George Atkins, Rufus A. Sandford, Charles A. 



220 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Plumb ; Leverette A. Sandford, by certificate ; Seldon S. Norton, 
by certificate. April, 1863 • — Richard Morrow, Theron S. John- 
son ; Leonard Blakeslee, by certificate ; George S. Atwood, 
George E. Todd. 

March, 1864 — Eugene Lane; Lyman C. Bradley, by certi- 
ficate. November, 1864 — Lent S. Hough, by certificate; 
Charles S. Galpin, by certificate; James F. Robbins, by certifi- 
cate ; Leander Norton, by certificate ; William F. Wiard, by 
certificate ; Theron A. Sandford, by certificate ; Charles F. Rob- 
bins. 

March, 1865 — George N. Dingwell, by certificate. 

March, 1866 — Benjamin F. Chipman ; Joseph H. Somers, by 
certificate ; Elijah H Warner, Mark H. Harrison, Lowry S. 
Richardson ; Jesse Gaylord, by certificate ; Edwin A. Welton, by 
certificate ; Julius D. Beecher. 

March, 1867 — Frederick W. Carter, John R. S. Todd, Elmer 
L. Andrews, Calvin B. Brockett, John H. Beecher, William 
McLaughlin, by certificate ; J. Henry Garrigus, by certificate ; 
Joseph Porter, by certificate. 

March, 1868 — Chauncey F. Chipman, Joseph Fairclough, by 
certificate ; Corald D. Blakeslee, by certificate ; Elmer Hotchkiss, 
Reuben J. Lewis. April, 1868 — George W. Walker, James P. 
Alcott, Huber Birdsey, Oliver J. Norton. October, 1868 — Hor- 
ace Garrigus, Benjamin F. Somers, Oliver L. Baldwin, Thomas 
Slade, Patrick Walsh. October, 1868 — Philo B. Lewis. 

March, 1869 — George Bridgman, Patrick Donovan, Benjamin 
A. Pratt, George Sellew, Arthur W. Andrews, Edgar S. Moul- 
throp, Lester A. Hotchkiss. 

March, 1S71 — Henry Hall, Henry Tompkins, Rufus J. Ly- 
man, Dewitt Todd, James A. Wakelee, Cornelius F. Munson, 
Benjamin L Bronson, Charles E. S. Hall, Ransom Strong, Lav- 
allette Upson ; Michael Kelly, by certificate ; John I. Ambler, by 
certificate. 

March, 1872 — Fordyce D. Loomis, James Burns, Eri L. Lane, 
F. Albert Helmischkist, Charles E. Somers, Homer L. Atkins, 
Samuel L. S. Porter, Martin L. Andrews, jr., Bement D. Wake- 
lee, Michael Kelly. October, 1872. — Elliot Bronson, Alfred M. 
Northrop, William H. Brown. 



TOWN OFFICERS. 221 

March, 1873 — Benjamin F. Brooks. April, 1873 — William 
Farrall. 

March, 1874 — Anson O. Sanford, William E. Andrews, Emer- 
son M. Hotchkiss, Ransom B. Hall, Alonzo Hart, Overton Je- 
rome, Frank G. Mansfield, Nathan C. Prince, Horatio B. Strong, 
John M. Stevens, William Glynn, Evelyn M. Upson, Charles G. 
Yeomans, Samuel Orcutt. 

TOWN OFFICERS. 

Moderators — 1796, June: Deacon Aaron Harrison. 1796, 
December: Charles Upson. 1797-8: Mark Harrison. j 799— 
1800: Charles Upson. 1801-3: Mark Harrison. 1804: Dea- 
con Joseph Atkins. 1805 : Daniel Byington. 1806 : Charles 
Upson. 1807 : Daniel Byington. 1808 : Nathaniel Lewis. 
1809: Streat Richards. 1810-n : Mark Harrison. 1812 : Asaph 
Hotchkiss. 18x3-17: Mark Harrison. 1818-26 : Ambrose Ives. 
1827-8: David Frisbie. 1820-30 : Capt. Gates Upson. 1831 : 
Gates Upson. 1832-4: David Frisbie. 1835-8: Gates Upson. 
1839 : Orrin Plumb. 1840 : Gates Upson. 184-1 : Mark Tuttle. 
1842: Noah H. Byington. 1S43-44: Gates Upson. 1845 : I ra 
Frisbie. 1846: Orrin Plumb. 1847-48: Noah H. Byington. 
1849: Orrin Plumb. 1850: Gates Upson. 185 1 : Orrin Plumb. 
1852-4: Joseph N. Sperry. 1855 : Orrin Plumb. 1856 : George 
W. Carter. 1857-63: Orrin Plumb. 1864: George W. Carter. 
1865 : Orrin Plumb. 1866 : Joseph N. Sperry. 1867-8 : George 
W. Carter. 1869-72: Dennis Pritchard. 1873: Elihu Moul- 
throp. 

Town Clerks — Isaac Bronson, from 1796 to 18 14, 17 years. 
Archibald Minor, from 1815 to 1838, 23 years. 1839-40 : Levi 
Moulthrop. 1841 : Isaac Hough. 1842 : Ezra S. Hough. 
1843-44: Joseph N. Sperry. 1845: Elihu Moulthrop. 1846-47: 
Joseph Sperry. Henry Minor from 1848 to 1873, 2 5 years. 

Selectmen — June 13, 1796: Mark Harrison, Streat Richards, 
Jacob Carter. December, 1796: Jacob Carter, Charles Upson, 
Streat Richards. December, n, 1797: Streat Richards, Charles 
Upson, Amos Brockett. 1798 : Streat Richards, Amos Brockett, 
Elijah Perkins. 1799 : Streat Richards, Amos Brockett, Samuel 
Clinton. 1800 : Streat Richards, Amos Brocket, Joseph Minor. 



222 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

1 80 1 : Streat Richards, Amos Brockett, Stephen Carter. 1802 : 
Streat Richards, Nathaniel Lewis, Joseph Minor. 1803 : Isaac 
Bronson, Stephen Carter, David Harrison. 1804 : Isaac Bron- 
son, Stephen Carter, David Harrison, Eliakim Welton, Joseph 
Atkins. 1805 : Nathaniel Lewis, Streat Richards, Joseph Minor, 
Titus Hotchkiss, Hezekiah Beecher. 1806 : Isaac Bronson, 
Hezekiah Beecher, Asaph Hotchkiss, John Potter, Isaac Upson. 
1807 : Nathaniel Lewis, Streat Richards. Joseph Minor. 1808 : 
Streat Richards, Joseph Minor, Isaac Upson. 1809 : Streat 
Richards, David Wakelee, Joseph Minor. 18 10: Heman Hall, 
David Frisbie, Daniel Langdon. 181 1: Heman Hall, David 
Frisbie, Erastus Welton. 181 2 : Heman Hall, David Frisbie, 
Erastus Welton. 18 13 : Heman Hall, David Frisbie, Solomon 
Plumb. 18 1 4 : Heman Hall, David Frisbie, Luther Andrews. 
1815: Solomon Pumb, Ambrose Ives, Levi Hall. 1816: Levi 
Hall, Ambrose Ives, Titus Brockett. 181 7 : Titus Brockett, Lu- 
ther Andrews, Archibald Minor. 18 18 : Titus Brockett, Luther 
Andrews, Luther Hotchkiss. 1819: Luther Andrews, Luther 
Hotchkiss, Erastus Welton. 1820 : Levi Hall, Jerry Todd, Thom- 
as Upson. 1821 : Levi Hall, Jerry Todd, Obed Alcox. 1822 : 
Obed Alcox,, David Frisbie, Thomas Upson. 1823 : Luther An- 
drews, David Frisbie, Obed Alcox. 1824 : Orrin Plumb, Wil- 
liam A. Finch, Gates Upson. 1825 : Orrin Plumb, Luther An- 
drews, Obed Alcox. 1826 : Orrin Plumb, David Frisbie, Levi 
Hall. 1827 • Heman Hall. Titus Brockett, Luther Hotchkiss. 
1828: Luther Hotchkiss, David Frisbie, Orrin Plumb. 1829: 
Orrin Plumb, Luther Andrews, Levi Hall. 1830 : Orrin Plumb, 
Moses Pond, Ira Hough. 183 1 : Orrin Plumb, Ira Hough, Mo- 
ses Pond. 1832 : Moses Pond, Luther Andrews, Ephraim Hall. 
1833 : Moses Pond, Levi Hall, Orrin Hall. 1834: Moses Pond, 
Orrin Hall, Mark Tuttle. 1835 : Orrin Plumb, Seth Horton, 
Mark Tuttle. 1836 : Orrin Plumb, Levi Hall, Leonard Beecher. 
1837 : Orrin Plumb, Heman Hall, Ira Frisbie. 1838 : Ira 
Frisbie, Isaac Hough, Moses Pond. 1839 : ^ ra Frisbie, Moses 
Pond, Isaac Hough. 1840 : Ira Frisbie, Willard Plumb, Marvin 
Minor. 1841 : Luther Hotchkiss, Levi Hall, Mark Tuttle. 

1842 : Willard Plumb, Carolus R. Byington, Marvin Minor. 

1843 : Orrin Plumb, Dennis Pritchard. 1844 : Dennis Pritchard, 
Mark Tuttle, Isaac Hough. 1845 : Moses Pond, Carolus R. By- 



TOW.X OFFICERS. 223 

ington. 1S46-47 : Dennis Pritchard, Orrin Plumb. 1848-49 : 
Dennis Pritchard, Orrin Plumb, Joseph N. Sperry. 1850: Mark 
Tattle, SethWiard: 1851-53: Isaac Hough, George G. Alcott. 
1854: Isaac Hough, Orrin Plumb. 1S55 : Dennis Pritchard, 
James Alcott, jr. 1856 : Henry Minor, Erabtus W. Warner. 
1857-60 : Henry Minor, Levi Atkins. 1861-63 : Henry Minor, 
Willis Merrill. 1864-69: Henry Minor, Shelton T.Hitchcock. 
1870: Henry Minor, Augustus Minor. 1S71-73: Henry Minor, 
Shelton T. Hitchcock. 

Justices of the Peace — 1 796-1804 : Mark Harrison, Charles 
Upson. • 

1805-S : Mark Harrison, Charles Upson Isaac Bronson. 

1809 : Mark Harrison, Isaac Bronson, William Durand. 

18 10-16: Mark Harrison, Isaac Bronson. 

181 7-18: Mark Harrison, Isaac Bronson, Ambrose Ives. 

181 9 : Mark Harrison, Ambrose Ives. 

1820: Mark Harrison Ambrose Ives, Moses A. Street. 

1X21-4 : Ambrose Ives, Archibald Minor. 

1S25: Ambrose Ives, Archibald Minor. David Frisbie. 

1S26 : Ambrose Ives, Archibald Minor, Lyman Prindle, Samuel 
Wise. 

1827 : Archibald Minor, Levi Hall, Orrin Plumb, William A. 
Alcott. 

182S : Archibald Minor, Orrin Plumb, William A. Alcott, 
David Frisbie, T. Upson. 

1829-30 : Archibald Minor, Orrin Plumb, David Frisbie. 

1831-32 : Archibald Minor, Orrin Plumb, David Frisbie, Lu- 
ther Pritchard. 

1833-34: Archibald Minor, Orrin Plumb, David Frisbie. 

1835 : Archibald Minor, David Frisbie, Orrin Plumb, Mark H. 
By ington. 

1836 : Archibald Minor. Orrin Plumb, Noah H. Byington, 
Levi Hall. 

1837 ; Archibald Minor, Orrin Plumb, Noah H. Byington, Mo- 
ses Pond. 

1838 ; Archibald Minor, Mark Tuttle, William Bartholomew, 
George G. Alcott. 

1839 : Archibald Minor, Mark Tuttle, William Bartholomew, 



224 HISTORY OF VVOLCOTT. 

Lucius Tuttle. jr., Carolus R. Byington, Orrin Plumb, Mark H. 
Byington. 

1840: Archibald Minor, William Bartholomew, Carolus R. By- 
ington, Mark Tuttle, Leverett Kinney, Orrin Plumb, George G. 
Alcott. 

1841 : Archibald Minor, Mark Tuttle, William Bartholomew, 
Carolus R. Byington, George G. Alcott, Isaac Hough. 

1842 : Gates Upson, William Plumb, Carolus R. Byington, Ezra 
S. Hough, Elihu Moulthrop, jr., Timothy Bradley, Marvin Minor, 
Mark Tuttle. 

1843: Elihu Moulthrop, jr., Timothy Bradley, Carolus R. By- 
ington, Willard Plumb, Leverett Kinney, Orrin Plumb. 

1844 : Carolus R. Byington, Archibald Minor, Orrin Plumb 
William Bartholomew, Mark Tuttle, Gates Upson. 

1845 : Gates Upson, Carolus R. Byington, Mark Tuttle, G. W. 
Carter, James Alcott, jr., Orrin Plumb. 

1846 : Gates Upson, Orrin Plumb, Carolus R. Byington, Wil- 
lard Plumb, Elihu Moulthrop, jr., Joseph N. Sperry. 

1847 : Carolus R. Byington, Mark Tuttle, Orrin Plumb, George 
W. Carter, Stiles L. Hotchkiss. 

1848 : William Bartholomew, Carolus R. Byington, George W. 
Carter, Henry Minor, Mark Tuttle, Gates Upson. 

1S49 : William Bartholomew, Henry Minor, Orrin Plumb, Wil- 
lard Plumb, Joseph N. Sperry, Mark Tuttle. 

1850: Ansel H. Plumb, Willard Plumb, Dennis Pritchard, Jo- 
seph N. Sperry, Mark Tuttle. 

185 1 : George W. Carter, Henry Minor, Orrin Plumb, Willard 
Plumb, Joseph N. Sperry, Mark Tuttle. 

1852-53: Carolus R. Byington, George W. Carter, Willis Mer- 
rill, Henry Minor, Dennis Pritchard, Joseph N. Sperry. 

1854-55 : Henry Minor, Ansel H. Plumb, Orrin Plumb, Wil- 
lard Plumb, Joseph N. Sperry, Mark Tuttle. 

1856—57 : George W. Carter, Henry Minor, Orrin Plumb, Den- 
nis Pritchard, Joseph N. Sperry, Erastus W. Warner. 

1858-59 : Carolus R. Byington, Henry Minor, Orrin Plumb, 
Dennis Pritchard, Joseph N. Sperry, Erastus W. Warner. 

1860-61 : James Alcott, jr., Isaac Hough, Henry Minor, Orrin 
Plumb, Dennis Pritchard, Joseph N. Sperry. 



TOWN OFFICERS. 

1862 : Joseph N. Sperry, Dennis Pritchard. Henry Mi >r, 
Isaac Hough, Seth Wiard, James L. Kenea. 

1863-4: Joseph N. Sperry, Dennis Pritchard, Henry Mi. or, 
James L. Kenea. 

1S65-7 : Joseph N. Sperry, Dennis Pritchard, Henry Minor. 

1868: Joseph N. Sperry, Dennis Pritchard, Henry Minor, Ben- 
jamin F. Finch, Isaac Hough, Seth Wiard. 

1869: Joseph N. Sperry, Dennis Pritchard, Henry Minor. 

1870-2 : Dennis Pritchard, Henry Minor. 

1873: Henry Minor, Amos M. Johnson, Dennis Pritchard. 

1874: Henry Minor, Dennis Pritchard, Albert N. Pane, Amos 
M. fohnson, Frederick L. Nichols, Lucien Upson. 

Representatives — October, 1796: Mark Harrison. May, 1797 
Mark Harrison. October, 1797 : Charles Upson. May, 1798 
Charles Upson. October, 1798 : Streat Richards. May, 1799 
Mark Harrison. October, 1799: Charles Upson. May, 180 , to 
October, 1802 : Isaac Bronson. October, 1802 : Streat Richards. 
May, 1803, to October, 1S05: Mark Harrison. October, 1805, 
to May, 1806 : Streat Richards. May and October, 1807 : Na- 
thaniel Lewis. May, 1808: Isaac Bronson. October and 
1809: Nathaniel Lewis. October, 1809: Streat Richards. May, 
1S10: Nathaniel Lewis. October, 1 810: Joseph Minor. .V y, 
181 1, to May, 1815, including special session in August, 1812, 
and in January, 1815 : Isaac Bronson. May, 1815: Ambrose 
Ives. October, 1815: Isaac Bronson. May, 1S16, to October, 
1817: Ambrose Ives. October, 1S17, to May, 1S18: Era tus 
Welton. May, 1819: Luther Andrews. 1820: Erastus Wel- 
ton. 1821-2: Heman Hall. 1823: Levi Hall. 1824-5: David 
Frisbie. 1826-7: Archibald Minor.* 1828-9: David Frisoie. 
1830: Archibald Minor. 1831 : Luther Hotchkiss. 1832: Or- 
rin Plumb. 1833-4: Archibald Minor. 1835: Orrin Plumb. 
1836: Daniel Holt. 1837: Moses Pond. 1838: Salmon Up- 
son. 1839: Noah H. Byington. 1840: Ira Hough. 1841 : 
Ira Frisbie. 1842: Levi Moulthrop. 1843-4: Moses Pond. 
1845: Sheldon Welton. 1846: Willard Plumb. 1847-8: Henry 
Minor. 1849 : Marvin Minor. 1850 : Dennis Pritchard. 185 1 : 

* Mr. Minor is still living, and at the time of this writing is in the nine- 
tieth year of his age. 
16 



226 



HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 



Willis Merrill. 1S52 : Isaac Hough. 1853: Joseph N. Sperry. 
1S54 : Lyman Manvill. 1855 : Moses Pond. 1856 : Erastus W. 
Warner. 1857 : George W. Winchell. 1858 : Henry Minor. 
1859: Shelton T. Hitchcock, i860 : Erastus W. Warner. 1861 : 
William McNeill. 1862: E. W. Warner. 1863: Seth Wiard. 
1864: James Alcott. 1865 : Orrin Plumb. 1866 : Henry Minor. 
1867 : Augustus Minor. 1868 : Elihu Moulthrop. 1869 : Isaac 
Hough. 1870: Berlin J. Pritchard. 187 1-2: Shelton T. Hitch- 
cock. 1S73 : George W. Carter. 1874 : Shelton T. Hitchcock. 
Senators — Orrin Plumb, George W. Carter. 



John B. Alcox, 
Samuel Alcox, 
Solomon Alcox, 
Joseph Atkins, jr., 
Samuel Atkins, 
Josiah Atkins, 
Deacon Isaac Bronson 
Stephen Carter, 
John Dean, 
Judah Frisbie, 



REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. 

Benoni Gillet, 



John Harrison, 
Joel Hotchkiss, 
Levi Johnson, 
John J. Kenea, 
Nathaniel Lane, 
Dan Minor 
Joseph Minor, 
Elijah Royce, 
Captain Lucius Tuttle. 



SOLDIERS IN THE LATE REBELLION. 



The following list is 
cott born citizens, and 
who entered the army 

James P. Alcott, 
Henry Alcott, 
Newton Alcott, 
Eugene Atwood, 
Albert A. Andrews, 
Martin L. Andrews, 
Philo Andrews, 
James B. Bailey, 
Samuel M. Bailey, 
Pliny Bartholomew, 
Moses Bradley, 
John P. Butler, 



very nearly complete of all Wol- 
of all substitutes for such citizens, 
in the "great American conflict :" 

Charles E. Byington, 
Dwight Beecher, 
Francis Churchill, 
Benjamin F. Chipman, 
David L. Frisbie, 
Frederick Harrison, 
Mark H. Harrison, 
Orrin Harrison, 
Theron S. Johnston, 
Elihu Moulthrop, 
Evelyn E. Moulthrop, 
Sherman Moulthrop, 



SOLDIERS FROM WOLCOTT. 



22J 



Newell Moulthrop, 
David M. Manning, 
Samuel A. Merriman, 
John Mahon, 
John Milligan, 
Amon L. Norton, 
Luzern T. Norton, 
Burritt M. Norton, 
Lucius F. Norton, 
John Owens. 
Charles H. Robbins, 
William B. Rose, 
Henry Rose, 



Samuel N. Sperry, 
John Smith. 
James Sweeney, 
Alvah P. Tolman, 
Thomas P. Tompkins, 

Orrin Taylor, 
George E. Todd, 

Henry Todd, 

Rev. Henry E. F. Upson, 

Lucian Upson, 

Leroy Upson, 

George S. Wiard, 

William Wiard, 

William Wrav. 



Joseph H. Somers, 

The following are the names of some of the sons of 
former residents of Wolcott who were in the arm)' in the 
late war : 

Lucern, son of Simeon H. Norton, of Plantsville, died in battle. 

Edgar, son of Jerry Upson, of Cheshire, died of disease con- 
tracted in the army. 

David Frame, son of Rev. Aaron C. Beach, mortally wounded 
at Louisville, Kentucky, May 2d, 1862, aged 21 years. 

Rev. Joseph H. Twitchell, chaplain, son of Deacon Edward 
Twitchell, of Plantsville. 

Manton D. and Theron, sons of Russell Upson, of New Haven. 

Hobart V., son of Luther Bailey. 

Charles, son of Lucius Upson, of Plantsville. 



BIOGRAPHY 



JOHN ALCOCK. 

John Alcock, son of John, and grand-son of Phillip, was 
born in New Haven, where his father resided at that time, 
January 14, 1705. He married Deborah, daughter of Isaac 
Blakeslee, of North Haven, on the, twenty-fourth anniver- 
sary of his birth, and settled in Wolcott in the spring of 
1731, on a farm of wy}, acres of land, which he had pur- 
chased of Deacon Josiah Rogers, of Branford. He contin- 
ued to add to his landed estate until he was the possessor 
of about one thousand acres. He purchased more than 
twelve hundred acres, but had given some to his children 
previous to the later purchases. He gave to each of five 
or six children a farm of about one hundred acres of land, 
in the immediate vicinity of his home, retaining his home- 
stead for himself as long as he lived. He was a man of 
great energy and endurance, for without these qualities 
no man would or could have accomplished what he did 
in a wilderness country in the short space of time of 
forty-seven years. When he made his residence on this 
farm, coming up from Waterbury, he passed a little be- 
yond the bounds of civilization into the territory of pan- 
thers, bears, wild-cats, and immense forests. Here he 
built his log house and introduced his bride of fifteen 
months as "queen of the realm," to the privations and 
severe toil which the circumstances must have imposed 
in following years. Before his strong arm the wilderness 
gave way, and in a few years neighbors were on every 
side. Prosperity was his lot until his acres numbered a 
thousand, and his sons and daughters a dozen, and his 



232 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

log house, being too strait, gave place to the more com- 
fortable framed house. 

He was a man of considerable public spirit, serving the 
' own of Waterbury in different capacities, but especially 
as surveyor of lands and highways — the old records now 
showing his name connected with much work of this kind. 
His name is not prominent in th^ doings of the. Ecclesi- 
astical Society, for when it was organized he was sixty- 
six years of age, and had performed a large amount of 
hard labor, and was very properly allowed to rest on the 
retired list of prominent men of the community. He 
lived to see his children comfortably settled in life, most 
of them near him, and' some of them highly honored as 
public citizens ; and if a consciousness of having per- 
formed successfully the work of life can give satisfaction 
at its close, he must have enjoyed a larger share than is 
common among men. 

He departed this life January 6th, 1777, within eight 
days of his seventy-second birth-da}', and a little over 
forty-six years after his settlement on territory that be- 
came Wolcott nineteen years after his death ; and had 
all the inhabitants of the town since his day been as 
energetic and diligent in the work of life as he, Wolcott 
would bloom as a garden, and would be the pride of the 
State. As the first settler of the town, every citizen 
must feel to honor his name, and congratulate his de- 
scendants, scattered in many parts of this great nation. 

His wife, she that was Deborah Blakeslee, of North 
Haven, and became the queen bride of Wolcott, by being 
the first bride residing within its limits, survived her hus- 
band twelve years, departing this life January 7th, 1789, 
in the seventy-eighth year of her acre. 



CAPT. JOHN ALCOX. 

Capt. John Alcox was the eldest son of Mr. John Al- 
cock, the first settler in Wolcott, and was born Decem- 
ber 28, 1 73 1, and was, without doubt, the first child born 
in the territory of present Wolcott. He married, Au- 
gust 28, 1755, Mary Chatfield, daughter of Solomon 
Chatfield, of Derby, Connecticut, and settled on a farm, 
a little east of his father's residence, where his grandson, 
Almon, still resides, he being in the eight) -fifth year of 
his age. Captain Alcox was appointed one of the first 
prudential committee, at the organization of the first Ec- 
clesiastical Society, and he and his wife Mar}- were among 
the number of forty-one persons who united in the for- 
mation of the first church in Farmingbury parish. He 
was a man of stability and honor, but his energy of char- 
acter fitted him for military service more than ecclesias- 
tical, and hence he was distinguished in the former more 
than the latter, though in the church he was a leading 
and substantial member. 

All his commissions in the military service are preserv- 
ed, though that of Sargeant is not at hand. That of 
Ensign was addressed, dated, and signed as follows : " To 
John Alcox, Ensign of the new erected company or train- 
band in Waterbury [Farmingbury] Winter Parish so called. 
Given under my hand and the seal of this colony, in New 
Haven, the 19th day of October in the 9th year of the 
Reign of our Sovereign, Lord George the Third, King 
of Great Britain, &c, A. D., 1769. By His Honor's Com- 
mand, Jonathan Trumbull. George Wyllys, Secretary." 



234 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

captain's commission. 

Jon a than Trumbull, Esquire, Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief of 
His Majesty's Colony of Connecticut, in New England. 

To John Alcox,, Gent., Greeting : You being, by the General 
Assembly of this Colony, accepted to be Captain of the Thir- 
teenth Company, or Trainband, in the 15th Regiment in this 
Colony, — reposing special trust and confidence in your loyalty, 
courage, and good conduct, I do, by virtue of the letters-patent 
from the crown of England to this corporation, me thereunto en- 
abling, appoint' and impower you to take the said Company into 
your care and charge, as their Captain, carefully and diligently 
to discharge that trust ; exercising your inferior officers and 
soldiers in the use of their arms, according to the discipline of 
war ; keeping them in good order and government, and com- 
manding them to obey you as their Captain for His Majesty's 
service. And you are to observe all such orders and directions as 
from time to time you shall receive, either from me or from other 
your superior officer, pursuant to the trust hereby reposed in you. 

Given under my hand and the seal of this Colony, in Hartford, 
the 1 8th day of May, in the fourteenth year of the reign of our 
Sovereign Lord, George the Third, King of Great Britain, etc. 
Annoque Domini 1774. 

By His Honor's Command, JONTH. TRUMBULL. 

GEORGE WYLLYS, Secy. 

In the Autumn after Mr. Alcox received his Captain's 
commission, and when Colonial matters were taking on 
a serious attitude toward the mother country, in conse- 
quence of the warlike preparations of Governor Gage, of 
Massachusetts, he received the following paper, appar- 
ently in General Putnam's hand-writing and signature, 
and signed by other persons : 

putnam's order. 

Pomphret, Sept. 3, 1774. 
Capt. Hopkins : * 

Mr. Keys this moment brought news that the men of war and 

* Isaac Hopkins had been Captain previous to the appointment of John 
Alcox, and hence when he received the above notice, he not then being 



CAPT. JOHN ALCOX. 235 

troops began to fire on the people last night at sunset at Boston, 
when a post was sent immediately to inform the country ; he in- 
forms the artillery played all night. The people are universally 
for Boston as far as here, and desire all the assistance possible ; — 
it was occasioned by the country's being robbed of their powder 
as far as Framingham, and when found out, people went to take 
them and were immediately fired upon; six of our people were 
killed the first shot, a number more were wounded ; and [ I ] beg 
you would rally all the forces and be upon the march immediately 
for the relief of Boston and the people that way. 

ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

A copy compared, etc. WOLCOTT. 

Per James Hunting ion. (Probably Governor.) 

Ten days later, the Colonel of the Regiment sent the 
following paper : 

To Captain John Alcox, Captain of the \"$th Company in the l$th Regiment 
of the' Colony of Connecticut : 

These lines are to desire you to call forth the company under 
your command as soon as may be, and see that they and each 
of them are furnished with arms and ammunition according to 
law, and see that they hold themselves in readiness to march at 
an hour's warning, if need be. 

Dated at Farmington, this 13th day of Sept., A D., 1774. 

JOHN STRONG, Colonel. 

The following paper is also preserved in Capt. Alcox's 
handwriting, except the name of Abraham Woster, and 
is now, 1874, ninety-nine years old : 

Tc the Honorable Assembly to beholden at Hartford on the Second Thursday 
of May, A. £>., 1775 : 

These may serve to inform your honors, that being required by 
a statute of law passed in your session in October last requiring 
all captains of military companies in the government to call out 
their companies twelve half days before the first day of May next 



captain, passed the order to Mr. Alcox, who preserved it. It is now in pos- 
session of Mr. A. Bronson Alcott. 



2$6 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

then ensuing, and to cause them to be taught in the art of mili- 
tary discipline, encouraging all that would faithfully attend, with 
a premium of one dollar for their service, whereupon I have 
warned out my company to said twelve half days within said act 
limited, and under me there have attended faithfully the said 
twelve and a half days, fifty-eight of those to draw pay. Eleven 
that have attended eleven half days, eight that have attended ten 
half days, two that have attended nine, two that have attended 
eight, and one that attended seven, on which I exhibit this ac- 
count before your honor, requiring the aforementioned premium. 

Dated Waterbury, May 9th, A. D., 1775. 

JOHN ALCOX, 

Capt. of the 13th Company in the Fifteenth jRegi/nent. 

The above is a true account of the proceedings of the above 

said half-day trainings. 

ABRAHAM WOSTER, 

Clerk of said Company. 

On the reverse side of this paper is the following re- 
ceipt and autographs : 

Farming-ton, June 24. 

We, the subscribers, have received of Capt. John Alcox in full 
for our half-day training. 

Ezekiel Upson, Samuel Atkins. 

Joseph Benham, Abraham Tuttle, 

Amos Hall, Joseph Beecher, 

James Thomas, Wait Hotchkiss, 

David Alcox, John Bronson, 

Aaron Welton, Jacob Carter, jr., 

Elkanah Smith, Noah Neal, 

Eliakim Welton, jr., Abel Collins, 

John Talmage, Jared Harrison, 

Abel Curtiss, sen., Charles Upson, 

Heman Hall, Jeremiah Smith, 

James Alcox, Mark Harrison, 

Johnson Cleaveland, Cyrus Norton, 

Stephen Miles, jr., Abraham Woster, 

Daniel Alcox, Nathan Seward, 



CAPT. JOHN ALCOX. 237 

Samuel Harrison, Nathaniel Sutliff, 

Dan Tuttle, Philemon Bradley, 

Aaron How, John Greely, 

Curtiss Hall, Isaac Newell, 

John Miles, Moses Pond, 

Jeremiah Selkrigs, 

James Alcox received the wages for Phillip Barrett and David 
Alcox, jr., and receipted accordingly. Daniel Lane received "six 
shillings" for Joel Lane. 

Captain Alcox espoused the cause of his country in 
the revolutionary war with great spirit and energy. It is 
said of him that on hearing some report, about the time 
of the commencement of the war, he buckled on his Cap- 
tain's sword and walked to New Haven, twenty-five miles, 
to see if his services were needed as a soldier. Three 
of his sons, Solomon, Samuel, and John B., served in that 
war. 

His wife, Mary, departed this life, February 28, 1807, 
and Mr. Alcox died September 27, 1808, wanting one day 
of being seventy-seven years of age. 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT.* 

The first settler of Wolcott, John Alcock, of New Ha- 
ven, left a son, Captain John Alcock, who lived on Spindle 
Hill, along with his brothers, each possessed of a good 
farm. At his house his grand-son, Amos Bronson Alcott, 
now of Concord, Mass., was born November 29, 1799, 
being the eldest of eight children of Joseph Chatfield Al- 
cox and Anna Bronson, his wife. The homestead of 
Joseph C. Alcox was near his father's, and it was there 
that Mr. Alcott spent his boyhood. The present house, 
built in 1 8 19, is that from which Mr. Alcott set forth for 
Boston in 1828, when he began his active career in the 
great world. It stood near the fork of the road, where in 
former times was the district school house in which Mr. 
Alcott and his cousin, Dr. William A. Alcott, commenced 
their education, in the fashion described by Dr. Alcott 
many years ago. This school house has now disappeared, 
and the house and farm of Joseph C. Alcox have suffered 
from neglect since his death in 1829. 

He was a skillful farmer and country mechanic, making 
farming tools and household utensils for his townsfolks, 
and having the best tilled and best fenced farm (of nearly 
100 acres) in the Spindle Hill district. Two of his broth- 
ers had built log cabins on their clearings and lived in 

* This biographical sketch was prepared by request of the author of this 
book, by F. B. Sanborn, Esq., of Concord, Mass., and is extended for the 
purpose of giving some account of the experiences of the young men of 
Wolcott in their southern tours, and of Mr. Alcott's efforts in education, 
for which the author extends to Mr. Sanborn his most cordial thanks. 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 239 

them in the early part of this century, but he always oc- 
cupied a frame house, and lived with comfort, though 
with frugality. He was a diffident, retiring man, and 
kept much at home, content with his simple lot ; indus- 
trious, temperate, conscientious, honorable in all his deal- 
ings, and fortunate in his domestic life. 

His wife, the mother of Mr. Bronson Alcott, deserves 
special mention, since from her he inherited his name, 
his early religious training, and the general turn of his 
mind. Anna Bronson was the daughter of Captain Amos 
Bronson, of Plymouth : a man of property, influence, and 
decided theological opinions, somewhat at variance with 
those of the majority of Connecticut farmers at that time. 
She was the sister of an eminent clergyman and scholar, 
— Dr. Tillotson Bronson, for some years at the head of 
the Episcopal Academy in Cheshire, and previously rec- 
tor of St. John's Church, in Waterbury. She had some 
advantages of culture not so common in Wolcott at that 
time, and at her marriage brought to the Spindle Hill 
neighborhood a refinement of disposition and a grace of 
deportment that gave a more polite tone to the little 
community. In course of time her husband and children 
joined her in the Episcopal form of worship, when intro- 
duced in their neighborhood, where the service was read 
(at the Spindle Hill school house), until in course of time 
a church was gathered. She united steadfastness and 
persistency of purpose with uncommon delicacy and 
sweetness of spirit, and was truly, as her son declares her, 
" meek, forgiving, patient, generous, and self-sustained, 
the best of wives and mothers." She lived to a great age, 
surviving her husband more than thirty years. 

From his earliest years Mr. Alcott was fond of books, 
and read eagerly all that he could find. He went to 
school in the Spindle Hill district until he was thirteen 
years old, and at the age of twelve began to keep a diary, 
a practice which he has continued the greater part of the 
time since. Still earlier he had read Bunyan's Pilgrim's 



240 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Progress, the book of all others which had the greatest 
influence on his mind. He learned to write by practising 
with chalk on his mother's kitchen floor, and became in 
his boyhood a skillful penman, so that his first essay in 
teaching was as master of a writing school. He was 
mainly self-taught, in the higher studies, although he 
was for a time a pupil of his uncle, Dr. Bronson, at Che- 
shire, in 1813, and in 1815 of Rev. John Keys, of Wol- 
cott Hill. 

He worked during boyhood on the farm and in the 
shop with his father and brothers, and was dextrous at 
mechanical tasks. At the age of fourteen he worked for 
a while at clock making, in Plymouth, and in the same 
year went on an excursion into northern Connecticut 
and western Massachusetts, selling a few articles as he 
went, to meet the expenses of his journey. At the age 
of fifteen he was confirmed, along with his father, as a 
member of the Episcopal church, the ceremony being 
performed in Waterbury, by Bishop Brownell, after which 
young Alcott, with his cousin, the late Dr. Alcott, used 
to read the chur.ch service on Sundays at the school 
house in their neighborhood. The two cousins also car- 
ried on a correspondence at this time, and founded a 
small library for their mutual improvement. A few years 
later they visited Virginia and the Carolinas together, 
on one of those peddling pilgrimages which make such a 
romantic feature of Mr. Alcott's early life. Of one of 
these journeys Dr. Alcott has printed an extended ac- 
count. 

His first visit to New Haven was in 181 3, when he went 
to a book store and sighed for a place in it, for the sake 
of reading all the books. And he turned his rambles in 
Virginia and North Carolina to good account in the way 
of reading ; gaining access to the libraries of the great 
houses as he w nt along. 

The beginning of these rambles was in the autumn 
and winter of 181 8, when the youth was almost nineteen 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 241 

years old. At the age of sixteen he had played the part 
of a subscription book agent, selling copies of Flavel's 
" Keeping the Heart." His earnings were spent in New 
Haven for a prayer book for his mother, another for him- 
self, a dictionary, and a supply of paper for his diaries. 
These short journeys in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and 
New York, had worn off his natural bashfulness some- 
what, and had increased his longing to see more of the 
great world. His father and mother would fain have re- 
tained him at home, but he resolved to go to Norfolk in 
one of the coasting vessels from New Haven, and had a 
dream that he could easily, in Virginia, find a place as a 
teacher. Accordingly he sailed from New Haven, Octo- 
ber 13th, 1818, in the good sloop "Three Sisters," Cap- 
tain Sperry, skipper, with fifteen other passengers, chiefly 
peddlers from Connecticut and workmen going in the 
employ of the Tisdales, Connecticut tinmen, who had a 
shop at Norfolk. The voyage lasted about a week, and 
young Alcott landed in Virginia, October 20th. His pas- 
sage money seems to have been ten dollars. For a few 
days after arriving at Norfolk he continued to board with 
Captain Sperry, but soon went to live at Tisdale's, the 
tinman, and was urged by him to enter his service. At 
first Mr. Alcott was bent on teaching, but having tried 
from the 24th of October to the 12th of November, with- 
out success, to get a school, and being then somewhat in 
debt, the youth accepted his offer, and began to peddle 
for him about the city. This continued until some time 
in December, but apparently without much pecuniary re- 
sult, for just before the Christmas holidays we find Mr. 
Alcott buying a small stock of Virginia almanacs, and 
selling them to the citizens of Norfolk at a profit of two 
hundred per cent. Each almanac cost threepence, and 
was sold for ninepence, and the young merchant easily 
earned a dollar or two a day so long as the holidays 
lasted. Then it occurred to him to enlarge his stock, and 
to selltrinketsand silks to the families in the surrounding 
17 



242 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

country. He went, therefore, to a dealer in "fancy 
goods " in Norfolk, and bought goods costing nearly three 
hundred dollars, which he bestowed in two small tin 
trunks, to be carried in the hand, as the peddler jour- 
neyed on foot from house to house. There were tortoise 
shell combs, thimbles, scissors, various articles of orna- 
ment for ladies, puzzles and picture books for children, 
spectacles, razors, and many other wares for *the men, 
besides needles, buttons, sewing-silk, and much more 
that was not then a part of a peddler's stock in Eastern 
Virginia. 

The first trip was made in January, 1819, and was a 
circuit from Norfolk, by way of Hampton, along the 
James River for awhile, then across the country to York- 
town, and by the York county plantations back to Hamp- 
ton and Norfolk again. It proved profitable, and both 
goods and merchant found unexpected favor in the eyes 
of the Virginians. An American foot-peddler, a bashful 
Yankee, neither impertinent nor stingy, was a novelty in 
those regions, and, it soon appeared, an agreeable nov- 
elty. He was kindly received at the great houses of the 
planters, where he generally spent the night, accepting 
courteously their customary hospitality, though some- 
times sleeping in the slave quarters. On Sundays and 
rainy days, when his trade could not be pursued, this diffi- 
dent and bookish Autolycus remained in the planters' 
houses, and had permission to read in their libraries, 
where he found many books he had never seen or heard 
of before. In that part of Virginia there lived some of 
the oldest and best descended families of the Old Do- 
minion, with large and choice libraries, which they al- 
lowed the young man from Connecticut to explore for 
himself. Biography was his favorite reading, then poems 
and tales, and he had a keen appetite — not so common 
among lads of nineteen — for metaphysics and books of 
devotion. Cowper's Life and Letters, Locke's Conduct 
of the Understanding, and Lavater's Physiognomy, were 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 243 

among the books thus read ; nor was his favorite, Pil- 
grim's Progress, forgotten, which he found in fine editions 
among the Virginians. 

A word may here be said of the style of life and of 
reading, schooling, etc., which had up to this time been 
familiar to Mr. Alcott. The region where he lived was 
one of the most primitive parts of Connecticut at the 
opening of the century, and, though it was so near to 
those centers of culture, Hartford and New Haven, was 
but scantily supplied with books. There were not a 
hundred volumes in the parish library, and it had fallen 
into disuse when Mr. Alcott was a lad in his teens. He 
used to get permission from his father on Saturday after- 
noons to go round to the houses of the farmers in Wolcott 
for several miles about to examine their libraries and 
read their books, which included the Bible, and perhaps 
half a dozen other books, among them Bunyan's Pilgrim's 
Progress, Hervey's Meditations, Young's Night Thoughts, 
and Burgh's Dignity of Human Nature, a book then in 
much vogue among the country people of New England. 
These volumes would be kept on a shelf in a corner of 
the family room, and young Alcott readily got leave to 
borrow them. 

It was his custom for years to borrow and read the 
Pilgrim's Progress once a year ; and this book, more than 
any other, gave direction to his fancies and visions of life. 
Wolcott, indeed, might pass either for the Hill Difficulty 
or for the Delectable Mountains, according to the mood 
of the inhabitant of its uplands. The township lay high, 
and Spindle Hill, or " New Connecticut," was at the sum- 
mit of the range of Wolcott hills, commanding a wide 
prospect on all sides. Seven parish steeples were in 
sight, and from an oak-top the young Christian could see 
the glittering waters of Long Island Sound. 

Books were always his solace and delight, and he read 
constantly of evenings, and while resting from work at 
noon, during his father's nap or pull at the tobacco-pipe, 



244 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

in which he indulged himself moderately. Som times, 
too, the barefoot boy took his book afield with him, and 
read under the wall or by some tree, while the oxen 
rested in the furrow. 

To a youth thus bred, the comparatively elegant and 
courtly life of the wealthy Virginians was a graceful and 
impressive revelation, — the first school of fine manners 
which he had entered. An English gentleman, hearing 
the story of Mr. Alcott's early years — his farm life and 
his progress as a peddler — could scarcely believe it true. 
"Why," said he, "your friend has the most distinguished 
manners — the manners of a very great peer." He would 
have been still more surprised to learn that it was during 
the years of peddling that this polish of manner b^gan to 
be acquired by contact with a class then esteemed the 
first gentlemen in America. 

During these first months of 1819 he visited the Vir- 
ginian towns of Portsmouth, Smithfield, Williamsburg, 
the old capitol of the colony, Gloucester, and others in 
that region, and traversed the surrounding districts, 
without anxiety or misadventure, and with something to 
show at the beginning of April as the profits of the win- 
ter's trade. Something more than one hundred dollars 
was the net income, after all debts were paid, and travel- 
ling homeward with this, Mr. Alcott put it into the 
hands of his father, as the price of the six month's time 
he had taken from the work of farm and shop. The 
money went into the new house which the father was then 
building (in 18 19), and which is still standing. 

In November, 1819, Mr. Alcott and his brother Chat- 
field went to Virginia and both engaged in peddling. 
They succeeded well, and carried home their earnings to 
their father in the summer of 1820. The following autumn, 
when Bronson Alcott was one-and-twenty, he went ^>outh 
again, this time as far as South Carolina, and with his 
cousin, afterwards Dr. Alcott, for a companion. Their 
plan was tote ach school in the Carolinas, but that failed, 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 245 

and after making the journey on foot, from Charleston to 
Norfolk, they betook themselves, in the winter of 1820- 
21, to peddling again. During this winter Bronson Al- 
cott suffered from a severe typhus fever, and William Al- 
cott took care of him. The profits of the season were 
not so much as before, owing to this illness and other un- 
favorable circumstances. On his way home in June, Mr. 
Alcott, visited for the first time, Washington, Baltimore, 
Philadelphia, and New York. In the following Septem- 
ber, the now experienced adventurer set forth from home, 
and after settling his affairs in Norfolk, he gave up mer- 
chandise and began teaching. His first school was a 
writing class in Warrenton, N. C. With the money thus 
earned he paid his way back to Wolcott in June, walking 
most of the distance. Not quite willing to abandon the 
hope of retrieving his fortune, he set forth again for the 
South with his cousin, Thomas Alcox, in October, 1822, 
and spent the winter in North Carolina, among the Qua- 
kers of Chowan and Perquimons counties, returning in the 
spring of 1823. Here he saw much of the Quakers and 
read their books, such as William Penn's No Cross, no 
Crown ; Barclay's Apology ; Fox's Journal ; and other 
works of like spirit. The moral sentiment, as Mr. Al- 
cott has since said, now superceded peddling, clearly and 
finally. 

The next stage in his career was school keeping, — an 
occupation that he pursued for more than fifteen years, 
after once taking it up. His first school was in a district 
of Bristol, the adjoining town, and only three miles from 
Spindle Hill. Here he taught for three months, his wa- 
ges being. $10 a month besides board, and was so good 
a teacher as to make the school-committee desirous to 
engage him again. He did indeed teach school in Bris- 
tol the next winter (1824-5), but n °t in the §ame district, 
and for a part of the year he gave writing lessons at 
Wolcott. In the spring and summer of 1825 he resided 
in Cheshire with his uncle, Dr. Bronson, who then edited 



246 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

the Churchmans Magazine, for which Mr. Alcott procured 
subscribers and copied his uncle's manuscript for the 
printer. While residing with Dr. Bronson this season he 
read Butler's Analogy, Reid and Stewart's Metaphysics, 
Watts's Logic, Vattel's Law of Nations, and Dwight's 
Theology, his readings being to some extent directed by 
his uncle, with whom he continued to live after begin- 
ning to teach school in Cheshire, in November, 1825. 
This school occupied Mr. Alcott from that time until 
June, 1827, nearly two years, when he closed it and re- 
turned to Wolcott. He wrote a brief account of it and 
of his method in it, which was published in Mr. William 
Russell's "Journal of Education," in January, 1828, and 
attracted much notice, as the school itself had done. It 
was in Cheshire, in fact, that Mr. Alcott began to de- 
velope his peculiar system of instruction, which after- 
wards received so much praise and blame in Boston. 
He continued this system in a similar school in Bristol 
in the winter of 1827-8, and then removed to Boston to 
take charge of an infant school in Salem street, in June, 
1828. In the following April, he opened a private school 
near St. Paul's church on Tremont street, in which he 
remained until November 5, 1830, when he gave it up to 
open a school in Germantown. near Philadelphia, where 
with his associate, Mr. W. Russell, he remained a little more 
than two years. On the 22d of April, 1833, he opened 
a school in Philadelphia, which continued until July, 1834, 
soon after which, September 22, 1834, Mr. Alcott return- 
ed to Boston and there began his famous Temple school, 
concerning which so much has been written and pub- 
lished. This was nearly eleven years after his first win- 
ter's school keeping in Bristol. Mr. Alcott had now 
reached the 35th year of his life, and the fifth of his mar- 
ried life. 

Concerning the Cheshire school-keeping, which Mr. 
Alcott has always regarded as one of the most fruitful of 
his experiences, his brother-in-law, Rev. Samuel J. May, 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 247 

himself distinguished as a teacher and friend of education, 
says in his autobiography', under the year 1827: "Dr. 
William A. Alcott, then living in Wolcott, a philosopher 
and a philanthropist, wrote to give us some account of a 
remarkable school, kept on a very original plan, in the 
adjoining town of Cheshire, by his kinsman, Mr. A. B. Al- 
cott. His account excited so much my curiosity to know 
more of the American Pestalozzi, as he has since been 
called, that I wrote immediately to Mr. Alcott, begging 
him to send me a detailed statement of his principles and 
method of training children. In due time came to me a 
full account of the school of Cheshire, which revealed 
such a depth of insight into the nature of man, such a 
true sympathy with children, such profound appreciation 
of the work of education, and was, withal, so philosophi- 
cally arranged and exquisitely written, that I at once felt 
assured the man must be a genius, and that I must know 
him more intimately. So I wrote, inviting him ur- 
gently to visit me (in Brooklyn, Connecticut, where Mr. 
May then had a parish). He came and passed a week 
with me before the end of the summer. I have never, 
but in one instance, been so immediately taken possession 
of by any man I have ever met in life. He seemed to me 
like a born sage and saint. He was a radical in all mat- 
ters of reform ; went to the root of all theories, especially 
the subjects of education, mental and moral culture."* 

At this time the Cheshire school was just coming to an 
end, in consequence, partly in opposition to the radical 
ideas of its teacher, who had now reached that point in 
his experience as a teacher where he had confidence in 
his own ideas and methods, and began to make them dis- 
tinctly felt, not only by pupils, but by their parents, and 
by the community. Previous to 1827 the district schools 
of Connecticut, and of all New England', were at a low 
degree of discipline, instruction, and comfort, and in all 
these matters Mr. Alcott set the example of improve- 

* Life of Samuel J. May, .pp. 121-2. Boston: Roberts Brothers. 1S73. 



248 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

ment. He first gave his pupils single desks, now so com- 
mon, instead of the long benches and double or three- 
seated desks, still in use in some sections. He gave his 
youthful pupils slates and pencils, and blackboards. He 
established a school library, and taught them to enjoy 
the benefits of careful reading ; he broke away from the 
old rule of severe and indiscriminate punishments, and 
substituted therefor appeals to the affections and the 
moral sentiment of children, so that he was able almost 
wholly to dispense with corporeal punishment. He intro- 
duced, also, light gymnastic exercises, evening amuse- 
ments at the school-room, the keeping of diaries by 
young children, and, in general, an affectionate and rev- 
erent mode of drawing out the child's mind towards 
knowledge, rather than the pouring in of instruction by 
mechanical or compulsory processes. Familiar as this 
natural method of teaching has since become, it was an 
innovation five and forty years ago, — as much so as Pes- 
talozzi's method had been in Europe when he began the 
instruction of poor children in Switzerland a hundred 
years ago. Mr. Alcott followed in the course pointed 
out by Pestalozzi, and may be said to have been his im- 
mediate successor and continuator, for Pestalozzi died, 
(February 1827) while Mr. Alcott was in the midst of his 
Cheshire school. It has been remarked that the plan of 
communicating all instruction by immediate address to 
the child's sensations and conceptions, and effecting the 
formation of his mind by constantly calling his powers 
into exercise, instead of making him a mere passive re- 
cipient, was original with Pestalozzi, — and so it was with 
Mr. Alcott. Our townsman added also a Platonic and 
mystic tinge to his system, which, although found in Pes- 
talozzi's was not c o marked. The most devoted of Pes- 
talozzi's personal friends and followers in England, Mr. 
James Pierrpont Greaves, who first learned of Mr. Alcott's 
experiments in education from Miss Harriet Martineau, 
after her return from America in 1837, a ^ once recognized 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 249 

the right of our townsman to the mantle of Pestalozzi. 
Afterwards, in founding a school near London, on the 
principles of his beloved master Pestalozzi, he gave it the 
name of " Alcott House." He was even meditating a 
voyage to Boston for the sake of making Mr. Alcott's 
acquaintance, when he was prevented by the illness which 
preceded his death in 1842. Mr. Alcott's own visit to 
England happening later in the same year, he never met 
Mr. Greaves. 

The principles which guided Mr. Alcott in his long 
course of school-teaching, in so many places, being fully 
set forth in the "Record of a School," lately republished 
in Boston, need not here be dwelt upon in detail. They 
were Pathagorean, Platonic, Pestalozzian, and we may 
add, Christian ; for though the forms of belief which he 
for sometime held varied widely from the standard of 
doctrine most commonly upheld in Connecticut, the spir- 
it in which he acted was always that of reverent and self- 
sacrificing love, — the true spirit of Christianity. He was 
in advance of his age, and his ideas in education, now al- 
most universally received, were slow in making their way 
among the plain and practical people of New England. 
Like Pestalozzi, he was continually at a disadvantage in 
dealing with affairs, and he was not so fortunate as to 
find a coadjutor in his schools who could supply the prac- 
tical ability to match and complete his own idealism. 
Hence the brief period of his success in each place where 
he taught, and his frequent removals from town to town, 
and city to city. Everywhere he impressed the best men 
and women with the depth and worth of his character, 
the fervor of his philanthropy, the delicacy and penetra- 
tion of his genius, and they spoke of him as Mr. May did, in 
the passage quoted above. They sought his fellowship, 
aided his plans, rejoiced in his successes, and knew how 
to pardon his failures. During the period from 1826 to 
1836 he made the acquaintance and enjoyed the friend- 
ship of some of the most eminent persons in Connecti- 



250 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

cut, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania ; among 
them Drs. Gallaudet and Henry Barnard, of Hartford, 
Dr. Channing and Mr. Garrison, of Boston, Mr. R. W. 
Emerson, of Concord, Messrs. Matthew Carey, Roberts 
Vaux, and Dr. Furness, of Philadelphia ; and many of 
the most esteemed Boston families, — the Mays, Phillipses, 
Savages, Shaws, Quincys, etc. Among the eminent wo- 
men who took an interest in his school may be named, 
(besides Miss Martineau), Miss Margaret Fuller, Miss 
Elizabeth Peabody, her sister, the late Mrs. Hawthorne, 
Miss Elizabeth Hoar, and others. Both Miss Fuller and 
Miss Peabody were assistant teachers in the Temple 
school at Boston, and Miss Peabody compiled the ac- 
counts of it which were published under the title of " Re- 
cord of a School." and " Conversations with Children on 
the Gospels." Mr. Emerson, who had become intimate 
with Mr. Alcott in 1835, saluted him with high expecta- 
tion in this part of his career and said to him what Burke 
said to John Howard, "Your plan is original, and as full 
of genius as of humanity ; so do not let it sleep or stop> 
a day." To his friend at Concord Mr. Alcott seemed in 
his work as a teacher, a man in earnest, and of rare pow- 
er to awaken the highest faculties, — "to awaken the ap- 
prehension of the Absolute," as he said. And this was. 
the general verdict of those persons who visited the Bos- 
ton school in the Masonic Temple, on Tremont Street, 
during the years 1834-5-6. The conversation with pupils 
on the New Testament, in the winter of 1835-6, excited 
some opposition, however, and the lectures of Dr. Gra- 
ham, the vegetarian, in 1836, also gave offense. The 
publication of the "Conversations" in the winter of 
1836-7 was the occasion of a fierce attack in the newspa- 
pers of 1837. 

The hostile criticism poured out upon Mr. Alcott and 
his school after the publication of this book was singu- 
larly varied in its nature. The Boston Advertiser com- 
plained that "on the most important and difficult ques- 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 25 1 

tions this teacher, while he endeavors to extract from his 
pupils every thought which may come uppermost in their 
minds, takes care studiously to conceal his own opinions." 
But this was not all : "In some cases he gives opinions, 
and sometimes opinions of very questionable soundness." 
He supposes, we are told, "that a new era in philosophy 
is dawning upon us in the discover)' that childhood is a 
type of the divinity ; and the Advertiser sneeringly adds 
that "these conversations appear to be the first fruits of 
the new attempt to draw wisdom from babes and suck- 
lings," — as if, forsooth, there were anything unchristian 
or unscriptural in such an attempt. The Courier, a paper 
justly celebrated afterwards for standing firmly by the 
unpopular cause, was more abusive than the Advertiser, 
— compared Mr. A. with Kneeland, who had been indicted 
for blasphemy, and suggested that this teacher also 
should be brought before the " honorable judge of our 
municipal court." The indignation of Mr. Emerson was 
aroused at this injustice, and he wrote a note which was 
published in the Courier, the Advertiser having declined 
to publish it. It appeared in March or April, 1837, and 
said, among other things : " In behalf of this book 1 have 
but one plea to make — this, namely: Let it be read. 
Any reasonable man will perceive that fragments out of 
a new theory of Christian instruction are not quite in the 
best place for examination betwixt the price current and 
the shipping list. Try the effect of a passage from 
Plato's Phaedo, or the Confessions of St. Augustine, in 
the same place. Mr. Alcott has given proof of a strong 
mind and a pure heart. A practical teacher, he has dedi- 
cated for years his rare gifts to the science of education. 
He aims to make children think, and, in every question 
of a moral nature, to send them back on themselves for 
an answer. He is making an experiment in which all the 
friends of education arc interested. I ask whether it be 
wise or just to add to the anxieties of his enterprise a 
a public clamor against some detached sentences of a 



252 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

book which, as a whole, is pervaded with original thought 
and sincere piety ?" But this protest had no effect on 
Mr. Buckingham, who soon after quoted in his Courier 
the opinion of a distinguished professor of Harvard Col- 
lege, to the effect that " one-third of Mr. Alcott's book 
was absurd, one-third was blasphemous, and one-third 
was obscene." " Such," remarked Mr. Buckingham, "will 
be the deliberate opinion of those who diligently read 
and soberly reflect." 

To one who reads the two volumes thus severely con- 
demned, after the changes of the last thirty or forty years, 
such bitterness only provokes a smile. They would now 
be admitted with little hesitation to Sunday School libra- 
ries, and to use in the Sunday Schools of most Protest- 
ant churches. But the effect of such denunciation then 
was crushing. The school at the Temple, which began 
in 1834 with thirty pupils, and had received as many as 
forty, fell to ten pupils in the spring of 1837, and after 
lingering along for a year or two, with one or two changes 
of place, was finally given up in 1839. The immediate 
occasion of closing it then was the unwillingness of Mr. 
Alcott's patrons to have their children educated in the 
same room with a colored child whom he had admitted, 
and when the protesting parents found Mr. Alcott deter- 
mined not to dismiss the colored child, they with- 
drew their own children — leaving him with only five pu- 
pils, — his own three daughters, a child of Mr. William Rus- 
sell, and young Robinson, the cause of offense. Up to 
this time (June, 1839) tne receipts of Mr. Alcott for tui- 
tion since he began his school at the Temple, five years 
before, had been $5,730 ; namely, in the first year, $1,794, 
the second, $1,649, tne third $1,395, the fourth, (after 
the attack in the newspapers), $549, and in the last year 
only $343- The expenses of rent, furniture, assistant 
teachers, and the maintenance of family had been much 
more than this,- — and in April, 1837, the costly furniture, 
school library, and other apparatus of the Temple school 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 53 

were sold at auction. The city press and the city mob 
had their way with Mr. Alcott's school, just as two years 
before they had their way with Mr. Garrison's anti-slav- 
ery meeting. The poor and unpopular schoolmaster 
from Connecticut was hooted down, and his generous ex- 
periments in education were frustrated in Boston, in spite 
of the protests and appeals of such champions as Dr. Al- 
cott, Mr. Emerson, Mr. Russell, James Freeman Clarke, 
Rev. Chandler Robbins, Miss Fuller, Dr. Furness, Dr. 
Hedge, and other friends of culture and philosophy. 

During this period, as at all times since his marriage 
in 1830, Mr. Alcott found great sympathy and encourage- 
ment at his own fireside. Mrs. Alcott was a daughter of 
Col. Joseph May, of Boston, and was born in that city, 
October 8, 1800. The Rev. Samuel J. May, of Syracuse, 
whose memoir has been quoted, was her elder brother, 
born in 1793. It was at his parsonage house in Brook- 
lyn that she first met Mr. Alcott, in 1827, when he was 
teaching school in Cheshire, and it was largely on her 
account and through the efforts of her family and friends 
that he went to Boston, in 1828, and took charge of the 
Salem street infant school. They were married May 23, 
1830, and resided in Boston until their removal to Ger- 
mantown in the following winter. Their oldest daughter 
Anna Bronson, now Mrs. Pratt, (the mother of Miss Al- 
cott's "Little Men") was born at Germantown, March 
16, 1 83 1, and Miss Alcott herself (Louisa May) was born 
at Germantown, Nov. 29, 1832. A third daughter, Eliz- 
abeth Sewall, was born in Boston, June 24, 1835, an d 
died in Concord, March 14, 1858. Miss May Alcott, the 
youngest of the four daughters, now a well-known artist, 
was born in Concord, July 26, 1840. The eldest of the 
four, Anna Bronson Alcott, named for her grandmother, 
was married May 23, i860, the anniversary of her moth- 
er's wedding day, to Mr. John B. Pratt, of Concord, a son 
of Minot Pratt, one of the Brook Farm community in 
former years, and of late an esteemed citizen of Concord. 



254 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Their children are the famous "Little Men," — Frederick 
Alcott Pratt, born March 28, 1863, and John Sewall Pratt, 
born June 24, 1866. Mrs. Pratt was left a widow by the 
sudden death of her husband Nov. 27, 1870, and has 
since resided much of the time, with her two sons, at her 
father's house in Concord. 

It will be seen then that Miss Alcott, the authoress, 
was old enough to be a pupil, and in fact she was a pupil in 
her father's Boston school. She received her education 
mainly at home, after work, from her father and mother, 
both very competent to instruct her, and to lay the 
foundation of mind and character that her books display. 
Mrs. Alcott inherited from her ancestors, the Mays, Sew- 
als, Ouincys, of Boston, a vigorous constitution, a robust 
mind, and the kindliest and most comprehensive affec- 
tions. In a domestic life interrupted by frequent changes 
of residence and of fortune, she was the stay of the house- 
hold, a model wife and mother, and had a reserve force 
of philanthropy which expended itself freely on the good 
works of her husband, of her friends, or such as naturally 
fell to her own share. Many of her marked traits reap- 
pear, it is said, in her daughter Louisa, in whose books, 
also, much of the fireside history of the Alcott, May, 
Sewall, and Pratt families reappears in the guise of fiction. 

From birth to 1823, a period of twenty-four years, we 
may consider Mr. Alcott as preparing himself for the 
work of life. From 1823 to 1839, nearly sixteen years, 
he was zealously occupied in the business of education. 
For the last thirty years and more he has stood forth as 
an ideal reformer, and the representative of a school of 
thought and ethics, of which he was one of the founders 
in New England. During the years from 1834 to 1840, 
the so-called Transcendental Movement was making pro- 
gress among the New England people, and particularly 
in the neighborhood of Boston. Dr. Channing was one 
of its originators, and so, less directly, were Coleridge, 
Carlyle, and the Germans whom they make known to the 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 255 

English-speaking races. Mr. Alcott was a Transcenden- 
talist by birth, and early imbibed a relish for speculation 
and sentiments such as the Transcendentalists were famil- 
iar with. He first heard Dr. Channing preach (on the 
"Dignity of the Intellect") in April, 1828, and in Octo- 
ber of the same year he listened to a sermon from R. W. 
Emerson, at the Chauncey Place church, Boston, on "The 
Universality of the Notion of a Deity." In Philadelphia, 
between the years 1830 and 1834, he read many meta- 
physical and mystical books, and speculated deeply on 
the nature of the soul and on human perfectability, so that 
he was well prepared, upon his return to New England 
in the autumn of 1834, to join in the then nascent Trans- 
cendental movement, which went forward rapidly to its 
culmination about 1840, after which it ebbed away, and 
gave its strength to other and more special agitations. 
In 1837, when the Philistines were in full cry against the 
Temple School and its heretical teacher, Mr. Alcott was 
spoken of as the leader of the Transcendentalists, — a dis- 
tinction now generally given to his friend Mr. Emerson, 
with whom he became intimate in 1835-6. They joined in 
man\- activities of the time ; were members and originators 
of the somewhat famous Transcendental club, which met 
under various names, from 1836 to 1 850. It was first 
called "The Symposium," and met originally on the 19th 
of September, 1836, at the house of George Ripley, then 
a minister in Boston. In the October following, it met 
at Mr. Alcott's house (26 Eront street), and there were 
present Mr. Emerson, George Ripley, Frederic H. Hedge, 
O. A. Brownson, James Freeman Clarke, and C. A. Bar- 
tol. The subject of conversation that day was "Ameri- 
can genius ; causes which hinder its growth." Two years' 
later, in 1838, we find it meeting at Dr. Bartol's, in Chest- 
nut street, Boston, where of late years the "Radical 
Club" has often gathered; there were then present Mr. 
Emerson, Mr. Alcott, Dr. Follan, Dr. C. Francis, Theo- 
dore Parker, Caleb Stetson, William Russell, James Free- 



256 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

man Clarke, and John S. Dwight, the famous musical 
critic. The topic discussed was "Pantheism." In Sep- 
tember, 1839, there is record of a meeting at the house 
of Dr. Francis, in Watertown, where, besides those already 
mentioned, Margaret Fuller, William Henry Channing, 
Robert Bartlett, and Samuel J. May, were present. In 
December, 1839, a t George Ripley's, Dr. Channing, George 
Bancroft, the sculptor Clevenger, the artist-poet C. P. 
Cranch, and Samuel G. Ward, were among the company. 
These names will give some notion of the nature of the 
club, and the attraction it had for thinking and aspiring 
persons. In October, 1840, we find Mr. Alcott in consul- 
tation with George Ripley and Margaret Fuller, at Mr. 
Emerson's house, in Concord, concerning the proposed 
community, v. hich was afterwards established at Brook 
Farm. In 1848, the Transcendental club became the 
"Town and County Club," on a wider basis, and in a year 
or two came to an end, having done its work. 

During thi ^ period of Transcendental agitation, from 
1835 to 1850, Mr. Alcott gradually passed through the 
various degre s of his progress as a reformer. In 1835, 
he gave up the use of animal food, and the next year want- 
ed Dr. Sylvester Graham to lecture in his school. Still 
earlier he had joined the anti-slavery society, when found- 
ed by Willia n Lloyd Garrison, and he was present at 
many of the celebrated gatherings of abolitionists, — for 
instance at the Lovejoy meeting in Faneuil Hall, in 1837, 
when Wendell Phillips made his first appearance as an 
anti-slavery orator. In 1840, he met at Chardon Street 
chapel, with the "Friends of Universal Reform," among 
whom were Garrison, Edmund Quincy, Henry C. Wright, 
Theodore Parker, W. H. Channing, Mrs. Maria Chapman, 
Abby Kelly, Christopher Greene, and others of the same 
school of thought. Soon after this, plans for life in com- 
munities began to be much talk :d about, and Mr. Alcott 
indulged in the hope that something might thus be done 
to reform the evils of the time. He was invited to join 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 257 

the Brook Farm community, and that of Adin Ballou at 
Hopedale in Milford, but declined and instead, fell back 
for a while on plain living and manual labor at Concord, 
where he worked in field and garden, and in the winter 
of 1840-1 chopped wood in the woodlands of that village. 

Speaking of this period in Mr. Alcott's life, Dr. Chan- 
ning said in a letter to one of his friends, written in 
July, 1841 : — " Mr. Alcott little suspects how my heart 
goes out to him. One of my dearest ideas and hopes 
is the union of labor and culture. I wish to see la- 
bor honored, and united with the free development of 
the intellect and heart. Mr. Alcott, hiring himself out 
for day labor, and at the same time living in a re- 
gion of high thought, is, perhaps, the most interesting 
object in our Commonwealth. I do not care much for 
Orpheus in ' The Dial ; ' but Orpheus at the plough is af- 
ter my own heart. There he teaches a grand lesson ; 
more than most of us teach by the pen." 

Sailing for England in May, 1842, his experience there 
confirmed Mr. Alcott in his dream. of an ideal community, 
and on his return in October, he began to prepare for found- 
ing such a paradise. Meanwhile he refused to comply with 
the requirements of civil society, and for declining to pay 
his tax was lodged in the Concord jail, January 16, 1843. 
The late Samuel Hoar, father of Judge Hoar, and Hon- 
George F. Hoar, paid the tax without Mr. Alcott's con- 
sent, and he was released the same day. During the fol- 
lowing spring, in company with one of his English friends, 
Charles Lane, he examined estates with a view to pur- 
chase one for the proposed community, and finally Lane 
bought the " Wyman Farm, in Harvard, consisting of 90 
acres, with an old farm-house upon it, where Mr. Alcott 
and his family, with Mr. Lane and a few others, took up 
their abode in June, 1843, calling the new home "Fruit- 
lands." 

This place, a picturesque farm, lying now along the 
Worcester and Nashua railroad, and be dering the Nash- 
18 



258 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

ua river in Harvard, Mass., was not well adapted for such 
an experiment as Mr. Alcott and his friends undertook ; 
nor did their hopes and plans agree with the condition of 
things in the world. Their way of life was to be cheer- 
ful and religious, free from the falsehood and the cares 
that infested society ; it became, in fact, hard and dismal, 
and ended in bringing Mr. Alcott, almost with despair in 
his heart, to give up his hopes of initiating a better life 
among mankind by the example of such communities as 
he had planned Fruitlands to be. He finally abandoned 
the farm, in poverty and disappointment, about the mid- 
dle of January, 1844. The lesson thus taught, was a se- 
vere one, but Mr. Alcott looks back upon it as one of the 
turning points in his life. From that day forward, he has 
had less desire to change the outward condition of men 
upon earth than to modify and enlighten their inward life. 
He soon after returned to Concord, and in 1845 bought a 
small farm there with an old house upon it, which he re- 
built and christened " Hillside." A few years later 
when it passed into the hands of Nathaniel Hawthorne, 
he changed the name to " Wayside." It is the estate 
next east of that where Mr. Alcott now resides, in Con- 
cord. At " Hillside " Mr. Alcott gardened and gave con- 
versations, and in the year 1847, while living there, he 
built in Mr. Emerson's garden, not far off, the unique 
summer house which ornamented the grounds until with- 
in ten years past, when it decayed and fell into ruin. In 
1848 he removed from Concord to Boston, and did not 
return until 1857. Since then he has lived constantly in 
that town. 

It was a favorite theory of Mr. Alcott's, through all this 
period of agitation and outward activity, that he could 
propagate his ideas best by conversations. Accordingly, 
from 1839 to the present time, a quarter of a century, he 
has held conversations on his chosen subjects, and in 
many and widely separated parts of the country. He 
has not valued, as many reformers do, the opportunity of 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 259 

moving great numbers of people, at conventions and in 
churches, but has preferred the more quiet, and, as he 
esteems it, the more natural method of conversing. This 
period of his life may perhaps then be best described as 
the period of conversation ; although of later years he has 
often spoken from pulpits and platforms, on the same 
topics with which his conversations have to do. It is to 
be remembered, also, that Mr. Alcott was the first per- 
son in America, at least in modern times, to develop 
conversation as a means of public instruction, for which 
it was much employed in the period of Greek philosophy. 
An ingenious critic, Mr. Harris, of St. Louis, has lately 
argued that the philosophy of Mr. Alcott is rather that 
of Aristotle than of Plato ; but however this may be, it 
is certain that his conversational methods arc more like 
those which Plato has made so familiar than like the sen- 
tentious disquisitions of Aristotle. In spirit, it must be 
said that from what we know of Pythagoras, he was more 
nearly the prototype of Mr. Alcott in philosophy than 
either Plato or Aristotle. 

The literary period of Mr. Alcott's life has been 
subsequent to his greatest activity as a teacher by con- 
versation, and it is only of late years that he has ap- 
peared as the author of volumes. The "Record of a 
School," and the " Conversations on the Gospels," were 
compiled by other persons, reporting what was said. 
During the publication of the Dial, from 1840 to 1844, 
when it was the organ of the Transcendentalists, Mr. 
Alcott contributed some pages, among them his "Orphic 
Sayings," which attracted much notice, not always of the 
most respectful kind. Other writings of that period and 
earlier, for the most part, remained in manuscript. After 
a long period in which he published little or nothing, Mr. 
Alcott, about 1858, became the superintendent of schools 
in Concord, and in this capacity printed several long re- 
ports, which are noticeable publications. He published 
some essays, poems, and conversations in the Boston 



26o HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Commonwealth and The Radical, between 1863 and 
1868, and in the last-named year brought out a modest 
volume of essays entitled " Tablets." This was followed , 
in 1872, by another volume styled " Concord Days," and 
still other volumes are said to be in preparation. Mr. 
Alcott has been pressed to write his autobiography, for 
which his journals and other collections would give him 
ample material, and it is to be hoped he will apply him- 
self to this task. Should the work include his corres- 
pondence with contemporaries, it would be of ample bulk 
and of great value. 

At all times he was enamored of rural pursuits, and 
has practiced gardening with zeal and success. His pres- 
ent Concord estate, of a few acres only, was laid out and 
for years cultivated by himself. His connection with the 
public schools of Concord continued for some years and 
was of much service to them. In later times he has 
visited and spoken in the schools wherever he hap- 
pened to be lecturing or conversing, particularly at the 
West, where he has been warmly welcomed in his annual 
tours. His home has been at all times a center of hos- 
pitality, and a resort for persons with ideas and aspira- 
tions. Not unfrequently his formal conversations have 
been held there ; at other times in the parlors of his 
friends, at public halls or college rooms, or in the cham- 
bers of some club. A list of the towns and cities in 
which these conversations have taken place, with the 
names of those who have had part in them, would indi- 
cate how wide has been the influence, for thought and 
culture, exercised by Mr. Alcott in this peculiar manner. 
Mr. Alcott is in person tall and fair, of kindly and dig- 
nified bearing, resembling somewhat the portraits of 
Wordsworth, but of a more elegant mien and a more pol- 
ished manner than Wordsworth seems to have possessed. 
There are severa 1 portraits of Mr. Alcott, at different 
ages, — one a crayon sketch by Mrs. Richard Hildreth, 
taken in 1855, an ; anothei by Seth Cheney the Con- 



A. BRONSON ALCOTT. 26l 

necticut-born crayon artist, taken about 1855. This is 
not a crayon, however, but a medallion in plaster, and 
perhaps the best representation of Mr. Alcott's features 
yet made. A bust modelled by the sculptor, Thomas 
R. Gould, in the autumn of 1873, when cut in marble, will 
give his features and expression at the age of seventy- 
four. At this period, though touched by time, he is still 
youthful in spirit and capable of much travel and fatigue 
and of assiduous mental labor. It is not, however, so 
much by intellectual efforts that he has distinguished 
himself, as by a "wise passivity," and a natural intuition, 
or as Mr. Emerson has said of him, in the sketch which 
the New American Cyclopedia contains, by " subtle and 
deep science of that which actually passes in thought." 
Mr. Emerson adds : "Thought is ever seen by him in its 
relation to life and morals. Those persons who are best 
prepared by their own habit of thought set the highest 
value on his subtle perception and facile generalization." 
No person of our time seems to have valued them more 
highly than Mr. Emerson himself, and the long and con- 
stant friendship between these two founders of a school 
of philosophy in New England deserves mention in any 
memoir of either. Mr. Alcott has sought to pay a tribute 
to his friend by the writing of an essay concerning his 
genius, which was privately printed in Cambridge in 1865. 
Some of the other writings of Mr. Alcott have already 
been mentioned, and all of them will be found in the 
Wolcott Centenary Library. They are compiled in 
part from the journals which he has been in the habit 
of keeping for many years, and which, along with his 
" Autobiographical Collections " now form a long series of 
volumes in his library, of great personal and historical 
interest. They have been freely used in the preparation 
of this sketch. But however much or little he may write 
in the serene years of age which still remain to him, he 
will probably point to his children, as the old poet did 
to his early lost son, — 

" Ben Jonson, his best piece of poetry." 



262 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 



MISS LOUISA M. ALCOTT. 

Miss Louisa May Alcott, the popular writer of humorous 
and pathetic tales, owes her training, and thus her success 
in writing, to her father and mother more than to all the 
world beside. Her instruction for many years came almost 
wholly from them, and though her genius has taken a 
direction quite other than that of Mr. Alcott (guided 
strongly by her mother's social humor and practical be- 
nevolence), it still has many traits of resemblance ; while 
the material on which it works is largely drawn from the 
idyllic actual life of the Alcott family. It can scarcely 
be remembered when Louisa Alcott did not display the 
story-telling talent, either with her voice or with her 
pen. Her first book was published nineteen years ago, 
and had been written several years before that. For a 
long period afterward she contributed copiously to news- 
papers and periodicals of no permanent renown, though 
some of the pieces then written have since appeared in 
her collection of tales. Her first great success as a wri- 
ter was in 1863, when, after a brief experience as an army 
nurse, followed by a long and almost fatal illness, she 
contributed to the Boston Commonwealth those remark- 
able papers called " Hospital Sketches." These were 
made up from her letters written home during her army 
life, and bore the stamp of reality so strongly upon them, 
that they caught at once the popular heart. They were 
re-printed in many newspapers, and in a small volume, 
and made her name known and beloved all over the 
North. From that time forward she has been a popular 
writer for the periodicals, but her great success as an 
author of books did not begin until she found a publisher 
of the right quality in Mr. Thomas Niles, of the Boston 
firm of Roberts Brothers, who have now published all her 



MISS MAY ALCOTT. 263 

works for six years. Within that time the "Little 
Women " and their successors have been published, and 
the sale of all her books has exceeded a quarter of a 
million copies. Her earliest novel, " Moods," published 
in 1864, by A. K. Loring, of Boston, did not at first com- 
mand much attention, but has since sold many thousand 
copies. Her second novel, "Work," was published by 
Roberts, in the summer of 1873, and at once had a great 
sale, both in America and in Europe. Many of her books 
have been translated into French and German, and there 
are now few living authors whose works are so universally 
read. 



MISS MAY ALCOTT. 

Mr. Alcott's youngest daughter, now pursuing her art 
in England, has been known for some years as a grace- 
ful artist, and art teacher. She has studied in London 
and in Rome, as well as in her own New England, and 
though she has attempted few original pictures or sketch- 
es, she has shown an appreciation for drawing and model- 
ling and coloring, which give promise of excellent work 
hereafter. It is interesting to know that the best por- 
traits of her mother in existence are the work of her 
hands — one a crayon sketch, and the other a medallion 
modelled by Miss May Alcott quite early in her course 
as an art student. She has also had some practice of 
late, as a writer, and several of her letters from Europe 
have been published in the journals of the day. 

The town of Wolcott can point with pride to the 
career of the Alcott family in all its branches, as one 
of its glories. Those who have remained within the 
town limits have been diligent and virtuous citizens, while 
of those who have gone forth into the great world, more 



264 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

than one have distinguished themselves and become illus- 
trious without wandering from the ancestral path of vir- 
tue and fidelity. Mr. Bronson Alcott has held opinions 
and engaged in enterprises, during his lifetime, which 
would not have commanded the entire approbation of 
his townsmen, had they been called to pass judgment 
upon them ; but with the general result of his long and 
varied life, neither they nor he can have reason to be dis- 
satisfied. He has not accumulated riches, nor attained 
political power, nor made labor superfluous and comfort 
cheaper by ingenious mechanical inventions. But he has 
maintained, at all times and amid many discouragements, 
the Christian doctrine that the life is more than meat, 
and that the perishing things of this world are of small 
moment compared with things spiritual and eternal. He 
has devoted himself, in youth with ardor, in mature and 
advancing years with serene benevolence, to the task of 
improving the hearts and lives of men, by drawing their 
attention to the sweetness of philosophy and the charms 
of a religion at once contemplative and practical. There 
is no higher work than this, and none that leaves so 
plainly its impress on the character and aspect of him 
who spends a lifetime in it. Those who had the pleas- 
ure of seeing and hearing Mr. Alcott, at the Centenary 
gathering will remember how much his words and his 
presence added to the interest of that occasion. And we 
are confident the reader will not regret the space allotted 
to his biography in this collection. 



DR. WILLIAM A. ALCOTT. 

Dr. William A. Alcott was born in Wolcott, Connecti- 
cut, on the 6th of August, 1798. His father was a hard 
working farmer, in moderate circumstances, being a lin- 
eal descendant of the third generation of Mr. John Al- 
cock, the first settler in the territory which became Wol- 
cott. His mother, Anna Andrus Alcott, was descended 
from Abraham Andrus, one of the original settlers of 
Watcrbury, and was a woman of practical good sense, 
having been a teacher in the public schools, which was 
regarded, in those days, as more than an ordinary accom- 
plishment. His cypportunites for education were confined 
to the district school', for three or four months in the 
summer, and four months in the^ winter, until he was 
eight years old, and after that age, to the winter term for 
four or five years. After this he attended for about 
six months the select school taught by Rev. Mr. Keys, 
the minister of the parish, in which school he acted fre- 
quently as tutor, and where he first began to develop a 
genius and pleasure in teaching, which afterwards formed 
a large part of his life work. He possessed from his early 
years a taste for the reading of books, which was prob- 
ably inculcated by his mother, and continued to be fos- 
tered by his associations with his cousin, A. Bronson 
Alcott, who was also of the same mind. In addition 
to the books in his father's house, and those which he 
could borrow from the neighbors, he had access to the 
parish library, after he was fourteen years of age, which 
library, though not in a flourishing condition, furnished a 



266 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

number of very valuable books, and some of them ex- 
erted a most marked influence upon his character in after 
years. 

When a little more than eighteen years of age he com- 
menced teaching school in his native district, the school 
house standing but a few rods west of his father's dwell- 
ing house, and in the district where the larger part of the 
pupils and inhabitants were his relatives. The wages 
were ten dollars per month for three months, and seemed 
doubtless quite a sum for a lad to bring into his father's 
treasury, even though the father boarded him during 
the time ; especially when the work performed out of 
school hours was equal in value to the board. In those 
days the son had no right to money for his labor while 
under twenty-one years of age, for the law said the son 
should serve the father until twenty-one, and to obey the 
law was one part of Christian life, whether the law was 
Christian or not. His labor in the school and that for 
his father consumed every moment not occupied in sleep, 
and divided his efforts to such an extent that the success 
of the school was not what it would have been if the time 
out of school could have been given to plans and appli- 
ances for the forwarding of the work of teaching. 

We make the following extracts from a Memoir of Dr. 
Alcott, published in Barnard's Journal of Education, for 
March, 1858 : 

For six successive winters, with the single interruption of one 
year (when he went to teach), he continued to be employed in 
different parts of Hartford and Litchfield counties, with a grad- 
ually increasing compensation. By a few he was valued because 
they thought him a smart master, who would make the pupils 
know their places; by others, for his reputation as a scholar; and 
by others still, because he was valued highly by the children. It 
was in those days very much as it is now ; parents would not visit 
schools where their children were if they could help it ; and what 
they knew about the school they had to take at second-hand. 
Two things he certainly did as a teacher: he labored incessantly, 



DR. WILLIAM A. ALCOTT. 267 

" both in season and out of season." No man was ever more 
punctual or more faithful to his employers. And then he gov- 
erned his school with that kind of martial law which secured a 
silence, that in the common schools of that day had been little 
known, which fact secured for him one species of reputation that 
extended far and wide, so that his services were by a particular 
class much sought after. 

In a teacher's life under the influences, and surrounded 
by the difficulties that existed in those days, it could 
not be expected but that some mistakes would be 
made, yet with all these, be was pre-eminently a suc- 
cessful teacher and was very greatly attached to his em- 
ployment, and began to entertain the hope that he could 
one day make teaching his one permanent occupation 
though there were serious difficulties in the way. The 
scanty wages, twelve dollars a month, gave little encour- 
agement to such an object, besides male teachers were 
usually hired for only three or four months in the year, 
and if he concluded on this life work his chosen profes- 
sion, that of a printer, must be abandoned, which he was 
not fully reconciled to do. 

In the spring of 1822, when he was nearly twenty-four years of 
age, after he had closed his sixth annual winter term, he engaged 
in a school for one year. It was a new thing in the place, but re- 
lying on his fame, which had long since reached them, and anxious 
to obtain his services, even at extra cost, it was agreed to employ 
him for the time above mentioned, including a vacation of one 
month, at nine dollars a month, or ninety- nine dollars a year and 
his board. To this was added, by a liberal individual, one dollar, 
making the sum one hundred dollars, upon which the offer was 
accepted, and he began his school early in May. He boarded in 
the families, which, to a person of a missionary spirit, such as he 
possessed, had its advantages, and Dr. Alcott endeavored to im- 
prove these opportunities to raise the standard of education 
among the people. One of the first things he urged upon the at- 
tention of his employers was an improvement of the school-room, 
and after much effort and patience in urging upon parents the 



268 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

physical benefits of some reforms, he secured seats in the school- 
room with backs to them in the place of the old slab benches. 
Heating and ventilating came next, but the most he could accom- 
plish in this respect was to open the doors and windows at every 
recess, and let the pure air of heaven sweep through for a few 
moments. His largest improvements, however, were in regard 
to methods of teaching, particularly for the youngest pupils, and 
for these he substituted the employment of drawing on slates as an 
amusement as well as improvement, which was a new idea in the 
schools of those days. He procured a dozen or two of small 
slates and one large one, which latter answered for a blackboard, 
upon which were pictured birds, dogs, cats, houses, trees, and 
many other things, and proceeding from these to the making of 
letters in the printed form, then to words and their arrangement 
into sentences, and compositions. He delighted, also, to get 
around him a group of children, and by telling stories of history 
thus secured their cheerful and punctual attendance rather 
than by way of flogging. To these exercises he added some extra 
recitations out of school hours which he was not allowed to hear 
in the formal six hours. His zeal and labors were as untiring as 
they were unheard of before in that region, for he not only gave 
up his mornings and evenings to the children and their parents, 
but he would not permit himself to sit in the school room, and 
was literally on his feet from morning until night, or, as more com- 
monly expressed, was " always on the jump." 

The severities of his self-denials and exertions, joined to oth- 
er causes, especially a feeble and delicate constitution, brought 
on him, toward the end of the summer, a violent attack of ery- 
sipelas, from the effects of which, though he escaped with his life, 
he never entirely recovered. 

At the close of the year for which he had engaged, although 
the district did not feel able to continue him by the year, they 
unanimously engaged him for the term of six months the ensuing 
winter, at the price of thirteen dollars a month. This was deem- 
ed a compensation quite in advance of those times, and was ac- 
cepted as entirely satisfactory." During the winter of 1824-5, 
Mr. A. Bronson Alcott succeeded him in this district while Dr. 
Alcott was engaged in the central school of Bristol, a- district ad- 



DR. WILLIAM A. ALCOTT. 269 

joining the scene of his former labors. Here he took upon him- 
self the additional work of the study of medicine, restricting 
himself to four hours of sleep, which brought on him a severe ill- 
ness, from which causes he did not add to his reputation as a 
teacher. In studying medicine he had no intention to relinquish 
teaching but the better to prepare himself for this profession, and 
also, should his health fail, of which there were increasing signs, 
he might have another method of doing good and securing a com- 
petency for life. 

During the winter of 1825-6, he attended a regular course of 
medical lectures at New Haven, and in the following March re- 
ceived a Diploma to practice medicine and surgery. At this time 
his health was far from good and he began to have apprehensions 
of fatal results of lung difficulty. 

Leaving the college at a season of the year when it was not 
customary to hire male teachers, he, after some hesitation made 
application for the central school in his native town at a dollar 
and a half a week and " board around," that being the usual rate 
paid to female teachers. This offer, though unexpected and not 
a little mysterious, was accepted by the district ; and in May, 1826, 
he commenced his work. 

It was his settled determination, and he did not hesitate to 
make it fully known, to have a model school, on his own favorite 
plan, although the pecuniary means were wanting. He had not 
ten dollars in the world. All his resources, after paying for his 
medical education and a few books, and after remunerating his 
father, as he was proud to believe he did, for the expense of 
bringing him up, were soon exhausted in fitting up his school- 
room, — in the purchase of maps, designs, vessels for flowers and 
plants, and such fixtures as in his judgment would conduce to the 
proper cultivation of the mind and heart and taste of his pupils. 
He rightly judged that a plain and unpretentious people, who 
knew him well, would not seriously object to innovations which 
cost them nothing in dollars and cents. He was, indeed, regarded 
as a little visionary, but was allowed to go on uninterrupted in his 
plans ; and in his missionary life, going from house to house for 
his board, he had opportunity for making, from time to time, such 
explanations as were quite satisfactory. 

Besides carrying out and perfecting the approved method of 



270 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

teaching the elementary branches, which he had for several years 
been applying with so much success, he added to them several 
others, particularly in defining grammar and geography. He 
introduced, also, what he called his silent, or Quaker, exercises. 
This consisted in requiring his pupils, at a certain time every 
morning, usually immediately after the opening of the school and 
devotional exercises, to lay aside everything else, and give them- 
selves up to reflection on the events, duties, and privileges of the 
twenty-four hours next preceding. At the close of this unbroken 
silence, which usually lasted five minutes, any pupil was liable to 
be called upon to relate the recitations and events of the preceding 
day, in their proper order and sequence. 

In commencing this school in his native town, Dr. Alcott had 
other and very exalted ulterior aims. His warm heart embraced 
no less than the whole of his townsmen. These he meant to en- 
lighten, elevate, and change, until Wolcott should become a 
miniature Switzerland. But his pulmonary difficulties, which had 
been for ten years increasing upon him, aggravated, no doubt, by 
hard study, improper diet, and other irregularities of the pre- 
ceding winter, now became threatening in the extreme. Besides 
a severe cough and great emaciation, he was followed by hectic 
fever, and the most exhausting and discouraging perspirations. 
He fought bravely to the last moment, but was compelled to quit 
the field and relinquish for the present all hopes of accomplishing 
his mission. 

For a short time he followed the soundest medical advice he 
could obtain ■ keeping quiet, taking a little medicine, eating nu- 
tritious food, and when his strength would permit, breathing pure 
air. This course was at length changed for one of greater activ- 
ity, and less stimulous. He abandoned medicine, adopted for a 
time, the "starvation system," or nearly that, and threw himself 
by such aids as he could obtain, into the fields and woods, and 
wandered among the hills and mountains. In the autumn he was 
evidently better and was able to perform light horticultural labors 
a few hours of the day, and to ride on horseback. For six 
months he continued the horseback exercise, almost daily, as a 
sort of journeyman physician ; at the end of which period he 
commenced the practice of medicine on his own responsibility, at 



DR. WILLIAM A. ALCOTT. 2JI 

Wolcott Centre, continuing to make his professional visits on 
horseback. His hopes of inspiring the people of his native town 
with a spirit of improvement now revived. He not only practiced 
medicine but took a deep interest in the moral and intellectual 
condition of the people. He superintended a Sabbath school ; 
aided in the examination of the public school teachers, and held 
teachers meetings in his own hired house. Not Oberlin himself. 
in his beloved Ban de La Roche, had purer or more benevolent or 
more exalted purposes." 

Dr. Alcott's application to become a member of the 
Congregational Society is still preserved among the pa- 
pers of the Society, and corroborates the above extracts. 

Dr. Alcott's Letter. 

" Clerk of the Congregational Society in Wolcott : 

Sir: — Believing that regular public preaching of the Gospel 
useful to Society in general and a means of training up children 
in the way they should go, as well as of affording instruction to the 
ignorant and those that are out of the way even in later life ; — and 
furthermore despairing of seeing any other Society in town do any 
thing at present, I have come to a conclusion to make request 
that my name be entered among the names of those who belong 
to your Society, until such a state of things shall arise as may 
seem to justify the withdrawing of my support. Should a tax be 
laid this day suffer me to be considered a member of the Society 
and taxed accordingly. Yours, «.\:c. 

WM. A. ALCOTT. 

Wolcott, April 16, 1S27. 

The Sabbath school which the Doctor inaugurated was 
the first one in the parish superintended by a layman, 
and was a successful school, being remembered with 
great pleasure by a number of people still living." One 
feature of the school was the books which the superin- 
tendent contrived (some way, no one knows how,) to 
obtain for the children to read. It was a marvel of joy 

* See page log of this History. 



272 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

then, and as such is still very distinctly remembered. 
Not content with this effort to furnish books for the Sab- 
bath School, " he began to collect a library for the town." 
These volumes were loaned from time to time, but the 
plan was so troublesome that he abandoned it, and pre- 
vailed with his friends and townsmen to establish a pub- 
lic town library on the ruins of the old one, to which ref- 
erence has been made. This library continued a few 
years, and then was distributed among the original con- 
tributors. 

He had already begun to write for the newspapers, on various 
subjects, particularly on common school education. A series of 
papers had been contributed and published in the Columbian 
Register, of New Haven, as early as 1S23, and several shorter se- 
ries on the same subject appeared in this and other papers during 
the years 1826 and 1827. Another series appeared from his pen 
between the years 1826 and 1829, in the Boston Journal of Edu- 
cation, then under the care of William Russell. 

These papers brought him into association with the 
best minds in his native State, on the subject of edu- 
cational improvement, particularly the Rev. Samuel J. 
May, of Brooklyn, Conn., and others in Hartford. 

Dr. Alcott's labors in Wolcott, in his profession as phy- 
sician and his connection with the Sabbath school and 
the Ecclesiastical Society, are spoken of in the highest 
terms of praise, though it is acknowledged that his opin- 
ions and ideas were regarded at the time, by some of the 
people, as radical and a little visionary. To-day his 
memory is honored by all the people, and at the late 
Centenary meeting no descendant of Wolcott's sons was 
received with greater cordiality by the people than Rev. 
William P. Alcott, the only son of the Doctor. 

In the Autumn of the year 1829, he resigned his med- 
ical practice and engaged in teaching a school in the 
town of Southington. In this school he followed suc- 
cessfully some of his new ideas of teaching, so far that a 
decided impression was made by them, but the effort im- 



DR. WILLIAM A. ALCOTT. 273 

paired his health so that he .ive up for a time all hope 
of teaching and concluded to labor on a farm near New 
Haven. Just .as he was settling on the farm he had oc- 
casion to be in Hartford, where, to his surprise, he met 
Rev. Wm. C. Woodbridge, who had returned from Eu- 
rope, and, though in feeble health, was endeavoring to 
rouse the attention of a few friends of education to the 
necessity of forming a school for teachers, on the plan of 
Mr. Fellenberg's school, in Hofwyl, which he had been 
studying for some time. Mr. Woodbridge inquired of 
Dr. Alcott what he considered the capital error of mod- 
ern education. " The custom o'f pushing the cultivation 
of the intellect at the expense of health and morals," 
was the reply. This question and reply laid the founda- 
tion for an acquaintance and friendship that was as last- 
ing as the life of the parties. He engaged as an assist- 
ant to Mr. Woodbridge in a "miniature Fellenberg 
school" in the vicinity of Hartford, for the moderate 
compensation of twelve dollars a month, and such was 
his enthusiasm in trying to elevate the common schools, 
that when offered three hundred dollars a year as teach- 
er he only required Mr. Woodbridge to raise his wages 
to fifteen dollars a month. 

During this engagement with Mr. Woodbridge the 
press teemed with his articles ; especially the Connecti- 
cut Observer and Hartford Courant. One very substan- 
tial, and elaborate review of a report on the Manual La- 
bor School of Pennsylvania, the product of his pen, ap- 
peared and met with much favor, and was quoted by for- 
eign writers. At this time he conceived the idea of es- 
tablishing a journal of education, but for several reasons 
was under the necessity of delaying the enterprise. 

It was during the years 1830 and 1831 that he prepared, 
and on several occasions delivered, his essay on the con- 
struction of school houses, to which the American Insti- 
tute of Instruction, in the Autumn of 1831, awarded a 
premium, and which led the way to that large and thor- 
19 



274 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

ough improvement in this department, which is now go- 
ing on in this country and elsewhere. 
. At this time, also, he engaged with Mr. Gallaudet, Hon. 
Roger W. Sherman, Hon. Hawley Olmstead, Mr. Wood- 
bridge, and others in forming a state society for the im- 
provement of common schools, and he did much to sus- 
tain it. 

A History of the first public school of Hartford, in 
which some recent advances had been made, a volume 
of a hundred pages or more, was written by him about 
this time, and also a volume of nearly the same size, en- 
titled " A Word to Teachers." It is believed that his es- 
says, in conjunction with the labors of others, had much 
influence, not only in New England, but throughout the 
United States. The most important of all his numerous 
labors at this period was his travels for the purpose of 
collecting facts concerning schools. Reports of these 
travels were made in various ways, and enlisted much 
interest and tended to awaken the public mind to the 
subject of common schools. In 1 83 1 , Mr. Woodbridge 
removed to Boston to edit the Journal of Education, and 
induced the Doctor to follow him. On his arrival in Bos- 
ton, through a severe storm, he was attacked with a 
pulmonary difficulty, from which he but slowly recovered, 
but from which difficulty, thereafter, for nearly twenty- 
five years, he was surprisingly free ; nor did he often have 
so much as a common cold. 

Doctor Alcott had formed many valuable acquaint- 
ances in Connecticut ; among them were Dr. John L. 
Comstock, Rev. Horace Hooker, Rev. C. A. Goodrich, 
Noah Webster, A. F. Wilcox, and Josiah Holbrook, and 
therefore he left the state with regret. 

Besides assisting Mr. Woodbridge in conducting the 
Journal of Education, by writing a large proportion of the 
articles on physical education, methods of instruction, 
and book notices, he was for two years, 1832 and 1833, 
the practical editor of a children's weekly paper, started 



DR. WILLIAM A. ALCOTT. 275 

by Mr. Woodbridge and his aged father. The paper was 
called the " Juvenile Rambler," and was perhaps the first 
paper of the kind ever issued in this country. He also 
engaged in labors in various forms in the cause of edu- 
cation, never losing sight for a moment of the public 
schools. During ,1832 and 1833 ne wrote " The Young 
Man's Guide," a book which found an extensive sale, and 
proved remunerative to its author, as well as accomplish- 
ing a great amount of good. At the end of the year 
1833, he was engaged by S. G. Goodrich as the editor of 
a monthly journal entitled " Parley's Magazine," which 
he edited four successive years, continuing his relation 
with the " Annals of Education," which he did to the 
end of his career, sometimes with pay, and sometimes 
without. His contributions to the periodical press, many 
of them to the Recorder, Watchman, and Traveler, of 
Boston, and to the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 
have been almost innumerable. He preserved copies of 
more than a thousand. Probably no individual up to his 
time ever devoted more hours during forty years to edu- 
cation, especially that of the common school and the 
family, than Doctor Alcott. It is difficult to imagine 
any mode in which more beneficial results could be se- 
cured to the schools than by the varied and instructive 
lectures which he delivered to schools, teachers, parents, 
and pupils, during many years of travel for this purpose, 
and the innumerable hints and suggestions which his con- 
versation would supply, on the subjects of hygiene, ele- 
mentary instruction, and physical and moral training, to 
all, whether old or young. The labor of such a life is 
not easily summed up or described, but one conclusion is 
inevitable : it was a life of immense work, and is very 
fittingly represented by a remark written by the sister of 
the Doctor's wife, in a letter to the author of this book : 
"He was an earnest worker for humanity; the great 
purpose and aim of his life being to make men better, — 
to raise them physically, intellectually, and morally." 



276 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Dr. Alcott married (January 14th, 1836,) Miss Phebe 
L. Bronson, daughter of Deacon Irad Bronson, of Bris- 
tol, and grand-daughter of Deacon Isaac Bronson, of 
Wolcott, who still survives him. His children are Wil- 
liam P., now a successful Congregational minister, and 
Phebe A., married and residing in Alabama. 

Dr. Alcott's home, for the last fifteen years of his life, 
was in the town of Newton near Boston, and the last 
seven on a place of his own in Auburndale, a village of 
that town, where he died of pleurisy, March 29, 1859. 
His remains were buried in the Newton cemetery. His 
last illness lasted but one week, and he seemed to be con- 
valescent on the day before his death, so much so that 
he dictated several letters, and as a member of the School 
Committee gave some directions concerning the grading 
of the school grounds. During the night his suffering' 
returned in great severity, he being unable to lie down. 
He was conscious that his end was near, and made such 
final arrangements as were necessary. In the morning 
his pain was less but his breath grew shorter and he be- 
came unable to speak. Towards noon, while sitting in an 
easy chair, he suddenly looked up, extending his hands 
in the same direction, while an expression of delight 
passed over his face, as if he beheld a vision of glory, 
and fell asleep. His wife and daughter were with him in 
his last sickness and received his last expressions of con- 
fidence and devotion, and to his son, then in college and 
for whom it was thought unnecessary to send until it was 
too late, he sent this message : " Tell William to live 
for others, not for himself." He died, as he had always 
hoped to die, "with his harness on." It was his desire 
that a post mortem examination should be made, which 
revealed such a variety of morbid conditions of the lungs 
as to make it surprising that he had lived so long. He 
was accustomed to say that " through the Divine bless- 
ings on his simple diet and healthful modes of living, 
his life had been lengthened twice as long as King Hez- 
ekiah's." 



DR. WILLIAM A. ALCOTT. 277 

In the life and labors of Dr. Alcott, as well as in many- 
others, the people of Wolcott have much reason to feel 
greatly honored. 

Dr. Alcott's published volumes are classified as follows : 

I. Works designed particularly for schools and teach- 
ers, and friends of education, — nineteen volumes, — nine of 
them containing over three hundred pages each. 

II. Physiology, physical education, and health, — thirty- 
one volumes, — twelve of which contain over three hun- 
dred pages ; several of which had passed through twelve 
editions each, two fifteen, and one twenty-one, in 1858. 

III. Books for the family and school library, — fourteen 
volumes, — one of which had passed through twelve edi- 
tions, one through seventeen, and one through twenty- 
two editions in 1858. 

IV. Books for Sabbath School library, — forty-four vol- 
umes. 

Whole number of volumes, one hundred and eight. 



REV. WILLIAM P. ALCOTT. 

Rev. William P. Alcott, son of Dr. William A. Alcott, 
was born in Dorchester, Mass., July nth, 1842. He grad- 
uated at Williams College in 1 861, and at Andover Theo- 
logical Seminary in 1865. After preaching for a short 
time in Heath and Cohasset, Mass., and giving a course 
of lectures on chemistry in Williams College, he was set- 
tled over the Congregational church, in North Greenwich, 
Conn., Feb. 18, 1868, where he still remains. He was 
married Aug. 26, 1868, to Sarah Jane, daughter of the 
late Rev. David Merrill, of Peacham, Vt. He has been 
very successful in his parish and is rising in influence and 
esteem in his own denomination, and wherever known. 
He was moderator this year (1873) of Fairfield West 
Consociation. His intellectual character is of the scien- 
tific-philosophic type, yet he holds firmly to revealed 
truths as such, and is reliable in his convictions and judg- 
ments. His mother being a Bronson (grand-daughter of 
Dea. Isaac) he has an inheritance of ancestry in which 
many would find great satisfaction. 

While in college he accompanied, by appointment, a 
scientific expedition to Greenland, — an honor and an ad- 
vantage quite important. He has given much attention 
to science, and especially to botany. As might be ex- 
pected, he cherishes many of the thoughts and principles 
of moral and physical culture, so forcibly and practically 
given to the world by his honored father. 



JOSEPH ATKINS. 

Joseph Atkins came from Hartford to Bristol about 
1752, where he owned a dwelling and several pieces of 
land, and the half of a grist mill. He removed to Wolcott 
in 1758 or 1759, where he purchased several pieces of 
land. Not long after his settlement here, he built a grist 
mill on Mad River, a little below the Great Falls. He 
afterwards owned a saw mill near his grist mill. In 1770 
he resided with his son Joseph, and it is thought that the 
house in which they lived stood half a mile east of the 
mill, on a lot lying south of the highway, a little east of 
Mr. Ira H. Hough's present dwelling house, but it possi- 
bly may have stood near the mill. Mr. Atkins was a 
very energetic, successful business man, and was an im- 
portant man in the organization of Farmingbury Society, 
and in building the first Meeting house. He gave two 
acres of earth surface for the use of the Society for a 
church site, and other purposes. It could not be said to be 
land, for much of it is rock, but yet it is very good upon 
which to build a church, and has served that end as well 
as any portion of the town could. His name, and that 
of his wife, Abigail, stand seventh and eighth on the list 
among the first members of the church. He died in 1782, 
as given on the church record, — there being no inscrip- 
tion on grave stones to mark his grave. He was sev- 
enty-one years of age. His wife, Abigail, died in 1796, 
and was probably over eighty years of age. 



DEACON JOSEPH ATKINS. 

Deacon Joseph Atkins, the son of Joseph, senior, who 
came from Bristol, was elected second deacon of the 
church April 19, 1786, or four years after the death of his 
father, and when the church was prosperous, and had a 
large number of men that, we should judge, might have 
served acceptably as deacons. He is said to have been 
a polemical deacon, always ready to go through with the 
argument of the decrees without hesitancy, and without 
a shadow of doubt as to the interpretation of the Scrip- 
tures thereby given. He was a very faithful, diligent 
Christian man, always at his place in church, and in visit- 
ing and comforting the flock, as an under shepherd. On 
a Sabbath, once, a bear came from the wood and took a 
pig from the deacon's pen and made a dinner of him, 
but it is not asserted that the reason of his taking the 
deacon's pig was that he was sure the deacon would be at 
church on that day ; nor do we learn that the deacon 
staid at home on Sunday afterward in order to shoot 
that old bruin ; but we are quite certain that if the peo- 
ple at church in those days had heard the report of a gun 
on Sunday (a thing we do not mind now-a-days), they 
would have rallied to a man for a fight with the Indians, 
not dreaming that any other occurrence could be suffi- 
cient cause for such a desecration of that day. 

Faith ran in grooves in those days, and one groove was 
politics (not allowable now-a-days), and when Mr. 
Thomas Jefferson came up in politics against the great 
Washington, it is said the deacon was terrible on poor 



DEACON JOSEPH ATKINS. 28l 

Thomas. The argument ran thus: " If Jefferson (sup- 
posed to be an infidel) were made President of the Uni- 
ted States, the Meeting houses would be burned to the 
ground, and Christians would be burned at the stake." 
To us this is amusing, knowing as we do how perfectly 
innocent Mr. Jefferson was of all this kind of argument. 
However, it shows how diligent the deacon was to watch 
over the faith and liberty of the church, even though he 
might not watch the bears of the woods sufficiently on 
Sunday to save his pigs. After the death of the deacon's 
father, in 1782, he resided near the mill, east side of the 
river, in a house built, perhaps, by his father, or by Mr. 
James Barrett, who resided in that vicinity as one of the 
first settlers in that part of the town. It was near this 
house that the deacon's great apple tree stood, from 
which he is said to have taken apples in such quantity 
that he made nineteen barrels of cider from one harvest- 
ing. The tree was cut down by Mr. Ira H. Hough a few 
years since, it being over four feet in diameter at the 
place where it was cut off. The Deacon maintained his 
integrity of character and faithfulness to the church until 
1805, when he resigned his office of deacon and removed 
west, being among the first settlers (it is said) in the 
town of Smyrna, Chenango county, N. Y., where he 
died. 



REV. AARON C. BEACH. 

Rev. Aaron C. Beach was born in South Orange, N, J., 
and was graduated at Yale College, in 1835, an< ^ m the 
autumn of the same year entered Yale Theological Semi- 
nary, with greatly impaired health. He was licensed to 
preach by the New Haven West Association, at Water- 
bury, in 1838, and continued in the seminary about two 
years after. Late in the year 1841, while visiting in 
Southington, he was invited to preach in Wolcott, ac- 
cepted the invitation, and preached in the school-house 
December 19th, the Meeting house not being completed. 
He then engaged to preach for the people of Wolcott six 
months, at the end of which time he received a unani- 
mous call to become their pastor, accepted it, and was 
ordained to that office June 22d, 1842. It was no small 
work to engage as pastor of a church and parish where 
there had been so much division and violent feeling as 
had been in Wolcott during three years previous to 1841 ; 
but Mr. Beach was, as far as now can be seen, " the right 
man in the right place." The house of worship was com- 
pleted during the fall and winter, and dedicated January 
19th, 1843, when the old difficulties seem to have been 
buried forever, and the people with one heart fol- 
lowed their leader into the harvest-field to gather the 
harvest. During his fifteen years of labor here forty-four 
were added to the membership of the church, twenty- 
seven of whom by profession ; and the dwelling-house 
(now the parsonage) was built by himself, as his house, 
and was afterwards sold to the Society. His labors seem 



REV. AARON C. BEACH. 283 

to have been of the quiet, steady, every-day-life sort, 
without great excitement, and without days of complain- 
ing and discouragement. Such a life-work of faithful- 
ness is not always appreciated by those to whom it is de- 
voted. In a letter, received from Mr. Beach since this 
book was commenced, he speaks, as also he did at the 
Centenary meeting, in the highest terms, of the kindness 
and sympathy which he received during the whole time 
of his labors in the parish, and the feeling of kindness is 
reciprocated from this parish toward him. 

Mr. Beach married Lucy Walkley, of Southington, 
December 28th, 1840. She died in Wolcott, April 2d, 
1853. He married, 2d, Jane Talcott, of Portland, Conn., 
May 6th, 1856. His children are as follows : 

David Frame, born in Southington, Conn., October 
5th, i84i,and was in the army against the late rebellion, 
and died of a mortal wound in Louisville, Ky., May 2d, 
1862, aged 21. 

John Wickliffe, born in Wolcott, January 5th, 1843, 
and is now settled pastor of the Congregational church 
at Windsor Locks, Conn. 

Lucinda Clark, born in Wolcott, May 1st, 1845, an ^ 
died in Portland, Conn., May 2d, i860, aged 15 years, 
and was buried in Wolcott. 

Olive Huldah, born in W'olcott, October 9th, 1847, an ^ 
died in New Jersey, October 3d, 1848, and was buried 
there. 

Roger Sherman, born in Wolcott, January 5th, 1850, 
and died in Wolcott, January 30th, 1852. 

Since leaving Wolcott two daughters have been added 
to his family ; Laura, the latter of which, died Septem- 
ber 28th, 1873, in the sixteenth year of her age. 

It will be seen by this record that Wolcott was a place 
of trial and many sorrows, as well as patient toil, to this 
good minister of the Lord, and that the graveyard at 
Wolcott Center has some monuments upon which, when he 
looks, there will come thrilling remembrances of the past. 



284 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

And how peculiar the fact that, after having visited Wol- 
cott at the Centenary meeting, and seeing many familiar 
and friendly faces, and visiting the beautiful little monu- 
ment in the graveyard that marks the sleeping dust of 
those once treasured ones of his own household, he 
should find the waves of sorrow flowing over his home 
again within fifteen days. 

After leaving Wolcott, as pastor, he preached a short 
time in Marlborough, Conn., receiving a call to become 
settled pastor, but did not accept it. Soon after this he 
was installed pastor in Millington parish, East Haddam, 
Conn., where he is still diligently laboring for the good 
of men. 



REV. JOHN WICKLIFFE BEACH. 

Rev. John Wickliffe Beach was born in Wolcott, Conn., 
January 5th, 1843, and was tne second son of Rev. Aaron 
C. and Lucy Walkley Beach, of Wolcott. A severe ill- 
ness (scarlet fever) in early childhood left him in deli- 
cate health, from which he did not recover for many 
years, and from this fact his attention was directed to 
study more than it might otherwise have been under the 
circumstances of life in which he was placed. His fath- 
er's limited salary as pastor in Wolcott would have 
driven him into other pursuits of life but for the habit of 
early culture and a natural love of learning, and as it 
was, there was much doubt for years of accomplishing his 
great desire of collegiate education. But by encourage- 
ment and some assistance from kind and considerate 
friends, and by persevering efforts on his part, he was 
graduated at Yale College in 1864. His religious life, in 
definite form, began while in Wolcott, at eleven years of 
age, when, under his father's ministry, he united with the 
church. When, therefore, he was graduated, his early 
and careful Christian life gave a balancing influence in 
the choice he made as to his future life, to make the 
preaching of the gospel his life-work. In preparing for 
this work he spent five years, some of the time teaching, 
and the balance of the time in Yale Divinity School, in 
New Haven. None but those who have the trial of such 
a protracted effort of preparation to commence the work 
of life, can understand the severe tax of courage and en- 
durance, mental and moral as well as physical, of such a 



286 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

preparation, and especially when the end of such prepar- 
ation promises, as to this world, small remuneration and 
limited comforts. Nine years of mercantile life in the 
place of nine years of college and seminary studies, 
would have brought this young man, with ordinary suc- 
cess, to a comfortable establishment in a successful, inde- 
pendent business, whereas, as it was, he was only pre- 
pared to begin his profession. 

His is not an isolated case, but that of many of the 
successful ministers of the gospel in this country. When, 
therefore, a young man has run such a race at the begin- 
ning of life, and enters upon his life-work, he is worthy 
of much confidence and encouragement from his parish 
and friends. 

In 1869, John Wickliffe Beach received the degree of 
Bachelor of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, and the 
same year began his pastoral labors for the Congre- 
gational church at Windsor Locks, Conn., and after 
preaching there one year was ordained pastor, Septem- 
ber 28th, 1870, in which place he is still successfully 
prosecuting his pastoral labors, and the prospect is that 
he will honor the name of Wickliffe. 



DEACON ISAAC BRONSON. 

Deacon Isaac Bronson was born Jul}' 19th, 1761. His 
father, John Bronson, was a native of Southington, and 
was descended from the Waterbury Bronson family, 
through John, the son of John Bronson, one of the origi- 
nal thirty subscribers in 1674, in the settlement of Wa- 
terbury. Deacon Isaac inherited the characteristics of 
trie Waterbury Bronson families, — strength and decision 
of intellectual and moral qualities, — and upon these his 
whole life career was built. Being the son of a plain 
farmer, in a new country, his early years were passed 
under disadvantages as to his intellectual aspirations. 
His life was introduced almost at first to calamity. He 
says in his journal : "At the age of sixteen months I lost 
my left eye, and schools not being kept much in those 
days in the out parts of society, I had not the benefit of 
one until half way in my sixth year, when I attended 
one for about three months. When I began in this school 
I did not know my letters, but soon learned them, and 
went from class to' class until I arrived to the first, during 
that term ; and before I was eight years old, I had read 
the Bible through in course, and every other book I 
could lay my hands on, and so unbounded was my desire 
after reading, that if I could get hold of a book that I 
had not read, it was not in the power of my brothers and 
other mates, either by frowns or flatteries, to persuade 
me to leave it for the sake of play." 

This taste for literature and knowledge so entirely oc- 
cupied his mind as he grew up to manhood, that when he 



288 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

saw no way to attain a collegiate education, he became 
greatly discouraged as to life, and fell into a state of in- 
difference and bashfulness that nearly proved his ruin. 
He says that "it proved my ruin as to this world ;" 
meaning, probably, that he, but for this, could have de- 
voted himself to ordinary work with satisfaction and 
success. He says also of this thirst for improvement of 
intellect: " My days were spent in fruitless wishes, and 
my nights in dreams of books, and of college, and of 
learning, for years together, until I lost all hopes ; 
although I believe that my living in such an obscure 
place, and being kept so exceedingly under, and always 
at home, served to crush me more entirely, and increase 
my bashfulness until I dare not speak to a person, or I 
should have attempted, by some means or other, to ob- 
tain, and should have persevered in the attempt until 'I 
should have forced my way to the attainment of, such a 
degree of literature as would have enabled me to have 
spent my life in its delightful researches." 

This was written soon after his conversion, and before 
he was twenty-five years old, and illustrates the manner 
of training children in those days by good Christian pa- 
rents ; the "keeping them under," and making them 
bashful as a sign of humility. 

Of his religious exercises in early years, he says : " The 
first workings of conscience which I recollect was when 
about eight years old, on the occasion of my mother's 
reading the sufferings of Christ, which made me weep 
bitterly. When I was about twelve years old, the dis- 
ease called ' canker ' made great ravages in the neighbor- 
hood where I lived, — great numbers died. This gave 
me a violent shock, so that for several months I was in 
the case of the wicked man mentioned in Job ; a dread- 
ful sound was in my ears, for death appeared to be at 
hand ; but it soon wore off. Again, when about halfway 
in my fifteenth year, I set up a new resolution, and partly 
from awakenings of conscience, and partly from my being 



DEACON ISAAC BROXSON. 289 

debarred from learning, I fell into a kind of melancholy, 
so that I scarcely smiled for a long time. I sometimes 
thought of enlisting in the service (revolutionary war), 
on purpose to get where my life was in constant danger, 
in hope that it would make me in continual fear of death, 
and thereby induce me to prepare for it. At last I en- 
listed, particularly with this view. Alas ! how different 
did it prove ! " His description of the reaction of his 
mind from religion during his soldier life is startling, 
though to a philosophical mind nothing otherwise would 
be expected. After returning from the war he continued 
in this reactionary state of mind several years. 

When about half way in his twenty-second year he 
married Thankful Clark, probably the daughter of Israel 
Clark, who resided a little north or north-west of Capt. 
Heman Hall's, and a few months after, was attracted to 
church by the "extraordinary eloquence," as he says, 
of the preaching of Rev. Edmond Mills, who was filling 
Mr. Gillet's pulpit, Mr. Gillet being unable to preach. 
During the revival which occurred in the summer of 1783, 
under the preaching of Mr. Mills and Mr. Miller, he 
entered into the Christian life with great exercises of 
mind, and also with great decision and earnestness. This 
new life revived a thirst for knowledge, but brought with 
it encouragement instead of despondency, and being in 
his own family, with a noble-spirited wife to cheer him in 
every good work, his mind was relieved from its many 
years of morbid reflections and distrust, and his rejoicing 
was very great. He dates the commencement of his 
Christian life on the ninth day of August, 1783, and on 
the 27th of the same month he entered into a "covenant 
of self-dedication to God," as directed by Dr. Doddridge, 
of which act he says : "Then, if I know my own heart, 
on full consideration and serious reflection, I came to this 
happy resolution, — that whatever others might do, I 
would serve the Lord, and as I humbly hope, sincerely 
20 



'290 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

entered into the following covenant."" This he copied 
on paper, and signed. On the 21st day of August, 
1786, he renewed this covenant, with great confessions 
of unfaithfulness, and renewing of consecrations to the 
Lord. At the end of his name on this paper he made a 
circle, nearly one inch in diameter, and within the circle 
he made the form of a heart. Inside of the heart he 
wrote, "May all mv heart be thine, my God," and out- 
side the heart, but within the circle, he wrote, "Sealed 
for eternity, I hope. Amen, and amen." In the year 1788 
he united with the church, having hesitated to do it pre- 
viously because of a feeling of unfitness. His religious 
life, as indicated in his journal, was characteristic of the 
age in which he lived ; more self-condemnatory than 
hopeful, yet it was the life of hope to him. 

His health was, much of the time, for a number of 
years, quite poor. He wrote : " May, 1790. Having sus- 
tained great loss of blood by bleeding at the nose, which 
brought on great weakness, and having continual pain at 
my stomach and in my head for about two months, 
being troubled with influenza, and continuing to bleed 
several times a day I began to conclude my stay here 
would be but short." As Lo this prospect of the great 
change, he expressed resigi tion to the Divine will, and 
writes : " But I wished to bring up my children, if it 
might be, though the greatest attachment I have to this 
world, by far, is one of the most prudent, kind, and af- 
fectionate wives the world ever produced, who spared no 
pains to render my life comfortable and agreeable, and 
who was very anxious to have me recover, and would be 
up and taking care of me when she ought to have been 
in bed, and to have had a nurse herself." And the result 
' was, that soon after this care for him, his wife was very 
■ill, so that her life seemed about to end here, which 
weighed heavily on his mind ; but she recovered. 

*See Dr. Philip Doddridge's " Rise and Progress," published by Ameri- 
can Tract Society, page 242. 



DEACON ISAAC BRONSON. 291 

The following is taken from his journal : 

Wolcott, October 13th, 1802. 
After twelve years interregnum I again sit down to write, in the 
bitterness of my soul, a few words respecting the hand of God 
at this time lying heavy upon my poor broken, desponding heart. 
Alas ! alas ! I have just now closed the eyes of my first-born, — 
my Isaac, the son in whom I greatly delighted ; always faithful, 
dutiful, and obedient ; apt to learn, delighted with reading, of a 
retentive memory, reflecting mind, and penetrating judgment, and 
acute discernment for one of his age in the characters and dispo- 
sitions of all whom he beheld. He was scrupulously fond of 
truth at all times ; sober and temperate in his deportment at all 
seasons, particularly upon the Sabbath ; modest and diffident of 
himself, he was to me, I had well nigh said, every way agreeable ; 
but O, my God, how hast thou, in a sudden and distressing man- 
ner, torn him from me at the age of eighteen years. Assist me, 
O blessed Jesus, thou who when on earth didst weep at the grave 
of a friend thyself; thou who knowest all the tender emotions, all 
the heart-rending sorrows which harrow up the soul of a fond 
father in my distressed situation. O, may that almighty power of 
thine that supports the falling universe sustain me in this trying- 
moment." 

The following stanzas were composed by himself, soon 
after the burial of the body of his son, as he says, "On 
visiting the grave of my dear son on the morning after a 
violent storm." 

Heart-rending sight ! how cruel was that storm, 

That did not spare this loved, this hallowed mound ; 

With wanton rage could Isaac's grave deform, 
Tear it in twain and wash the earth around. 

But why this grief ? these unavailing tears ? 

Isaac is safe from storm and tempests' rage ; 
Terrestrial scenes no more excite his fears, 

And worldly cares no more his mind engage. 

When solemn darkness veils the midnight skies. 
And the huge tempest bellows o'er the plain. 



29^ HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Here in the dust, my once loved Isaac lies, 

Nor heeds the howling winds, nor drenching rain. 

When driving snows and rattling hail storms sweep 
In fierce tornadoes o'er this hallowed ground, 

Lashing his grave till my fond passions weep, 

He sleeps secure, nor hears the ungrateful sound. 

Harsh thunders roar, red lightning's shafts are hurled, 
Volcanoes bellow, fiery comets blaze, 

And rumbling earthquakes shake the solid world, — 
Silent he sleeps and no attention pays. 

Yet fond affection draws me to this place ; 

Pensive I leave my family and fire, 
And, under covert of the evening shades, 

To Isaac's grave I secretly retire. 

I find him not, but sit and weep alone ; 

His name I call ■ — his silence mocks my cries; 
The most obedient, dutiful of sons, 

Regardless of a father's call now lies. 

Oh, my fond heart, resign parental joys, 
Nor hope to see him till the final hour, 

Since naught can move him but Jehovah's voice, 
Wait the. sure efforts of Almighty power. 

Soon will the .moment come when Gabriel's voice 
Shall rouse the sleeping dust, bid Isaac rise ; 

Then may I have the bright, the ecstatic joy 
Of rising with him far above the skies. 

May I so live that death may be no dread ; 

And when I'm called to bid my last farewell 
To earthly things, and make the grave my bed, 

May I ascend with God and saints to dwell. 

There may I meet my son in realms of bliss, 
And hail him happy in those worlds of light, 

No more to suffer such sad pangs as this 
From parting, but endless joys unite. 



DEACON ISAAC BR'ONSON. 293 

In trying to draw instruction from this afflicting Provi- 
dence, he remarks : 

I feel that for a long time I have been too much involved in 
the world and its cares. I have a large and chargable family to 
provide for, and no means to* do it with scarcely, and ever since 
the incorporation of this town I have been crowded with a large 
weight of public business ; some years eighteen or twenty different 
offices, and no years less than ten or twelve in the town, the so- 
ciety, the school society, and the like, which have engrossed a 
large proportion of my time and thoughts ; and in the spring of 
eighteen hundred, and for four succeeding sessions, I was chosen 
to represent the town in the General Assembly. All these various 
avocations, but perhaps more than all the rest, my corrupt incli- 
nations, have served to keep my heart at too great a distance 
from my God. Perhaps, though I have never allowed myself to 
be elated by any of these trifling considerations, yet I have un- 
doubtedly been inclined to place my heart on, and to expect my 
happiness too much from the world, and the good opinion of my 
poor fellow worms. Perhaps I have set my heart too much upon 
my children, and especially upon the dear object I now lament. 

His public labors were, probably, more than those of 
any other man in the town up to the present day. After 
the labors he speaks of as having been done previously to 
1802, he was justice of the peace eight years, representa- 
tive five years in succession, from 181 1 to 1815. He was 
surveyor of lands so many years that it is said that he 
knew at once where to go to commence tracing any line 
in the town. He was deacon of the church from 1805 
until his death, in 1845, an ^ from 1822 to 1827 supplied 
the place of pastor in the church ; attending many 
funerals, as well as reading sermons on the Sabbath, and 
making himself distinguished far and near in attendance 
on conferences of the churches and public meetings. 

The few scraps of his writings that are preserved indi- 
cate extensive reading and much study, especially of the 
then authorities of the church. He mentions as particu- 
larly helpful to himself, "Watts' Logic," "Doddridge on 



294 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Education." Quoting the list of books of classic au- 
thors recommended by him, "Shuckford's Connections," 
D'Prideau's works, and J. Taylor's writings. 

Near the close of his life he seemed to be determined 
to destroy his writings, and unfortunately succeeded, ex- 
cepting his journal, and eight or ten other fragments, 
which his daughter, Mrs. Bartholomew, succeeded in 
literally pulling out of the fire while they were burning 
in the dooryard, where he had made a bonfire of them. 
The following are some of them : 

The store keeper's wish, made and put up in Bani Bishop's 
store when I attended for him [before 1800] to prevent people 
having such noisy scrapes as they had done before, staying late 
Saturday nights, etc. 

May customers plenty now enter these doors, 

With a mind for to trade and their pockets well stored ; 

May they chink down the cash, and the goods take away, 

Thus keep me employed throughout the whole day. 

And others, likewise, though they do not pay down, 

As many good people that can't may be found ; 

If their credit is good and their residence steady, 

May they step in and trade and pay when they're ready. 

May those who are idle or knavish ne'er call, 

Nor ask to be trusted here any at all. 

May innocent mirth be a guest at the store, 

But the tongue of profaneness ne'er enter the door. 

May none ask for liquor to make them the worse, 

Or, if they should do it, may they meet a repulse. 

May each one retire before it is late, 

And the store never once be defiled with a scrape. 

May none be insulted while here they do business, 

Neither old men or boys, or maidens, or widows. 

May trading go brisk all the week at the store, 

And Saturday sunset fasten the door. 

Hymn made out on the death of General Washington, Feb- 



DEACON ISAAC BRONSON. 295 

ruary, 1700, on going into the Meeting house to commemorate 
his death : 

[Tunc of Friendship ] 

With solemn awe and humble dread 
May we this sacred mansion tread, 

While every heart is filled with gloom. 
For mighty God thine awful frown 
Hath cast our glory to the ground, 

And veiled our honors in the tomb. 

Our Father and our faithful guide, 

Our Friend, our Trust, our Strength, our Pride, 

Whose presence gladdened every heart, 
Lies cold and mouldering in the dust; 
Great God we own the sentence just 

That bid him from this world depart. 

For, while the blessing we enjoyed. 

Our hearts and tongues were not employe* 

As such rich favors did demand, 
In praising God whose goodness shone 
In giving us great Washington 

To be the bulwark of our land. 

Was not the man too highly prized. 
And made an idol in our eyes ? 

Did not our hopes on flesh rely, 
Forgetting, while we him applaud, 
He's but the instrument of God, 

And, like all other men, must die ? 

Yet gratitude to our great chief 
Forbids us to conceal our grief. 

While rising sobs our bosoms swell : 
In such amazing scenes of woe 
Stern virtue bids our tears to flow, 

And bids us all our sorrows tell. 

Permit us. Lord, to enter here, 

In mourning clad, with grief sincere, 



296 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

While waves of sorrow o'er us roll ; 
With due submission, mild and meek. 
Our loss to mourn, thy blessing seek 

With humble fervency of soul. 

Let us his deeds of fame relate. 

And bless the God that made him great ; 

Trace the bright road his feet have trod; 
And while we grieve and mourn for him, 
Get near the font that fed the stream, 

And rest our souls alone on God. 

When treason's black infernal shades, 
Or diplomatic skill invades, 

With all the cursed arts of hell ; 
When faction's hateful front appears, 
Or war's fell trumpet grates our ears 

With cannon's roar and savage yell, 

Though Washington in silence lie. 
We have a greater Friend on high, 

Who governs with resistless might ; 
A sure support in all distress, 
Superior to an arm of flesh, — 

Who dwells in uncreated light. 

To Him we'll seek, to Him we'll go, 
In all the scenes of death and woe ; 

When tumults rise and nations roar, 
We'll at his footstool prostrate fall. 
And make our God our all in all, 

When this vain world shall be no more. 

The deacon's real character was nearly the complete 
opposite of his usual manner and deportment. A warmer 
heart, probably, did not beat in Wolcott ; yet this made 
him sensitive and reserved, and being naturally diffident, 
and made much more so by the early training he received, 
and failing to accomplish that degree of study he so 
much desired, — these, all combined, caused him to appear 



DEACON ISAAC BRONSON. 297 

cold and unfriendly, except on extra occasions, when his 
true character shone out in grandeur and power. Hence 
in his addresses and prayers at funerals, he was captivat- 
ing and moving in a remarkable degree. All now liv- 
ing, who have heard him, say they "never heard his 
equal at funerals." It is said that his address on the 
death of Washington, at the time he composed the pre- 
ceding verses, was the most masterly production of the 
kind ever heard in Wolcott, and was talked of as such 
for years. The same is said of an address he gave at a 
conference of churches at Cheshire. It is not surprising, 
therefore, that he is spoken of as " The great man of 
Wolcott." 

He died April 28th, 1845, aged eighty-four years. His 
wife, Thankful, died June 23d, 1847, aged ninety-three 
years. His children bear the impress of his character in 
modesty and decision to the present day. 



TIMOTHY BRADLEY. 

Timothy Bradley came from North Haven to Wolcott, 
and settled on a farm on the west side of Cedar Swamp, 
in the north part of the town. Nearly all of his descend- 
ants are now gone from the town. He was a good citi- 
zen, honest and industrious, and had, so far as known, 
but one exceptional quality of character, and that was 
the telling of such improbable stories that no one thought 
of believing them ; though nothing disappointed him 
more than to have it suggested that any one doubted his 
narrations. It is said that his sons grew up with the same 
exceptionable habit, — one of them, at the age of twelve 
years, declaring that for a little extra birth-day dinner, 
at that age, he ate twelve dozen eggs, without the least 
injury. 

some of mr. bradley's stories. 

A carpenter was at work on the steeple of the North Haven 
Meeting house with a heavy broad-axe. The axe came off the 
helve; he called to those below to get out of the way of the fall- 
ing axe ; a man below seeing it coming, and not having time 
to move out of the way, opened his mouth and caught the 
edge between his teeth, without injury. 

He owned a broad-axe that was made of razors, which had 
a peculiar ring while being used. At the close of a day's work 
on the shore of Long Island Sound, he left his axe where he had 
been at work. The next morning it was gone. He went to work, 
and after some little time he thought he heard the axe ring, and, 
after giving attention to the direction whence the sound came, he 
discovered that the axe was being used on the shore of Long 



TIMOTHY BRADLEY. 299 

Island, across the Sound, a distance of about twenty miles. He 
jumped on his faithful mare, a trusty beast, and she swam across 
the Sound, carrying him. He obtained his axe, and returned in 
the manner in which he went. 

While at work in July, harvesting grain near the Sound, there 
came a change of weather, to freezing cold, and the change was 
so sudden that the frogs had not time to go under the water, but 
were frozen in the ice. 

On a certain occasion, speaking of a superior cat which he 
had, he said he had no doubt but that the cat had caught a cart 
body full of " chipmunks " that summer. 

In a certain year he had very wonderful potatoes ; the tops grew 
twelve feet long, and the largest potatoes in the ground were not 
bigger than the head of a pin. 

He said he once cut down four chestnut trees which stood near 
together, and a shower of rain coming on just then he went to 
the house, and when the rain was over he went back, and a flash 
of lightning, striking at the stumps, had split each of the four 
trees into quarters, from end to end. 

His son Moses went to Ohio to visit an old neighbor who had 
removed there for the purpose of hunting. At the time of the 
visit, he said this neighbor had on hand three thousand pounds of 
deer tallow, which he was to use in greasing the patches he put 
around his rifle balls, and that this amount of tallow would last 
only two or three weeks. 



REV. JAMES D. CHAPMAN. 

Rev. James Dyer Chapman was born in Columbia, 
Conn., in November, 1799. He graduated at Yale Col- 
lege in 1826, and studied theology at Yale Divinity 
School from 1830 to 1833. He preached as supply at 
Prospect, Conn., one year, — from September, 1832, to 
September, 1833. He preached for the Wolcott church 
first in July, 1837, probably, an ^ on August 4th, 1837, the 
Society instructed the Prudential Committee to hire him 
six weeks, "as a candidate for settlement," and at the 
end of that time the Society invited him to become their 
settled pastor, which invitation he accepted, and was 
ordained to that office October 25th, 1837. His salary 
was three hundred dollars paid by the Society, and what- 
ever additional that might be obtained from the Con- 
necticut Home Missionary Society, which amounted to 
fifty dollars a year during his three years' service. Under 
such circumstances it is not surprising that he purchased 
a farm, whereby to add a little to the comfort of his 
family. His labors in Wolcott were in peculiarly trying 
times, and through the whole he conducted himself in 
such a manner as to receive the unqualified expression of 
the confidence of the members of the church, in meeting 
assembled near the close of his labors, and without the 
slightest intimation, by the Consociation which dismissed 
him, of any want of discretion in regard to his ministerial 
life or preaching. That he was an honest man in his re- 
ligious principles and in his practice, and was true to his 
convictions, is evident from the many things he suffered 



REV. JAMES D. CHAPMAN. 3OI 

because of his anti-slavery sentiments. He was dismissed 
by Consociation November 9th, 1840, and it must have 
been one of the greatest days of joy of all his life when 
thus released from a position in which he had received 
the vilest treatment for preaching Bible truth according 
to the golden rule. 

On June 12th, 1844, he was employed at Cummington, 
Mass., where he continued to preach ten years, and 
where he died, December 19th, 1854, aged 55 years. 



REV. WARREN C. FISKE. 

Rev. Warren C. Fiske preached in Wolcott three years 
as stated supply, and retired at his own pleasure to his 
present home in Charlton, Mass. A bronchial difficulty 
led him to retire from regular pastoral work. 

He was born in Wales, Mass., September 21st, 1816, 
and experienced religion in his thirteenth year. He was 
fitted for college at Monson Academy, in Monson, Mass. 
He entered Amherst College in the fall of 1836, in the 
twentieth year of his age, and graduated in 1840. He 
then engaged in teaching at the Salem Academy, in New 
Jersey, and continued there two years, and then entered, 
in the fall of 1842, the East Windsor Theological Semi- 
nary (since removed to Hartford), and graduated in 1845. 

He married Harriet M. Parsons, of East Haddam, 
Conn., May 19th, 1847, and in June following went to 
Wisconsin as home missionary, where he remained three 
years, returning East in June, 1850, and was settled in 
Marlborough, Conn., in November of the same year. 
After eight years' labor in this place he was dismissed, in 
January, 1858, and settled in Canton, Conn., the next 
month. Here he remained three years and a few months, 
being dismissed on July 1st, 1861. After this he was 
stated supply one year in Barkhamstead, Conn., and 
from that place he came to Wolcott, in May, 1869, where 
he was and is still much respected. His wife was also 
highly esteemed as a noble-hearted Christian woman, 
and friend to all the people, and their children are spoken 
of in the kindest and highest terms. They were all born 
in Marlborough, Conn., as follows : Isaac Parsons, born 
September 16th, 1852 ; Sarah Lyon, born November 4th, 
18.54; William Warren, born June 26th, 1857. 



JUDAH FRISBIE. 

Judah Frisbic was a man of great energy in work ; a 
man of considerable influence in the Woodtick community 
and throughout the town ; a man with peculiar traits of 
character, — for his account books containing full accounts 
of business transactions during fort)' years, i. e., from 
1762 until 1800, are still preserved, and this was a pecu- 
liarity for his day, the like of which the writer has not 
found concerning any other man in the town. He not 
only wrote the minute items of his own work, but the 
remarkable occurrences in the community, and hence we 
are indebted to his notes for man}- items of history. The 
account books he used were made by himself, of unruled 
paper, sewed together, and covered with brown or "paste- 
board" paper, or leather. The one with earliest accounts 
was used by him before he enlisted in the Revolutionary 
army ; the second is filled mostly with his journal in the 
war, and his family records ; the third contains accounts 
after the war. From the first of these books we learn 
that his account with Ebenezer Warner, for board, began 
February 20th, 1763, and the board bill ran thus : 

To 2 meals, to 4 meals, to 3 meals, 9 shillings. To four meals, 4 shil- 
lings. To 1 meal, one shilling. To IS meals, 18 shillings. 

In 1772, we find him working for various individuals, 
and some extracts will indicate the work and the wages. 

JOSEPH SUTLIFF, DR. 

s. d. 

To riding to Abraham Hotchkiss'i O 10 

To two horse journeys to said Hotchkiss', 1 6 

To an axe, 1 10 



304 



HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 



To a horse to mill, 

To mowing two half days, 

To cradling at hogfields, 

To cradling oats and buckwheat, 

To 6 dozen buttons, 

To Lucy Scott's pole rate, 

To a day's work, hoeing, 

To three dozen of buttons, 

To a day's work, 

To two day's work, 

EBENEZER WARNER, CREDIT. 

By one horse one week and one day, 

By pasture for a colt one week and four days, I 

By horse to Judd's meadow, 

By a day's work with oxen and cart, 

By two quarts of rum, 

By pulling flax a spell, 

By a day's work with one yoke of oxen, 

By eight pounds beef, 

By carting lath, 

By a tree which made 150 clapboards, 

By a pair of oxen and cart to town, 

By a team a day, 

DANIEL BYINGTON, DR. 

To running buttons, 

To running 4 dozen buttons, 

1 773- JOSEPH HOTCHKTSS, CREDIT. 

By sawing 150 feet of boards, 

1773. JOSEPH SUTLIFF, DEBTOR. 

To two quarts of metheglin. 
To cradling buckwheat, 
To one quart metheglin, 
To two quarts metheglin, 

In the spring of 1776, while at home on furlough from 
the army, he entered several items in the first book. 






6 


2 





I 


7 


2 


6 


O 


6 


2 


3 


2 


6 


I 





2 


6 


5 





s. 


d. 


1 


1 


1 


2 





10 


2 





2 








6 


1 


4 


1 


4 


2 





1 





T 


3 


2 


S 


„ 


d. 


O 


6 


O 


13 


s. 


d 


2 


3 


s. 


d. 


I 


6 


2 


9 


O 


9 


I 


6 



APRIL 23, 1776. TIMOTHY SCOTT, CREDIT. 



By 290 feet of boards, 

By sawing 265 feet of boards. 



d. 
10 
10 



JUDAH FRISBIE. 



305 



By sawing 150 feet of plank, 
By sawing 130 feet of boards, 
By sawing loo feet of boards, 
By sawing 182 feet of plank, 
By sawing 140 feet of plank, 

1774. WILLIAM NICHOLS, DEBTOR. 

To two thousand shingles, £1 10s. 

HANNAH FRISBIE, DEBTOR. 

To a quart of metheglin, 

Credit by picking and breaking wool, 

I 7 76. WILLIAM WAK.ELEE, CREDIT. 

I'.\ sawing 3 logs 8 feet in length, 
By sawing 60 feet of plank, 
By sawing 230 feet of boards. 



5. 


d. 


3 





2 





I 


6 


3 


8 


2 


10 



In December, 1773, there was "laid out to Judah Fris- 
bie four acres and fifty-six rods of land in the north-east 
quarter of the bounds, at the Little Plain, a place east of 
the Great Plain, next to the bounds of Farmington." 
This was the first land he bought in the east part of 
Woodtick, and was surrounded by " common land," and 
hence was the first land taken up by actual residence in 
Woodtick, as far as is known. Another piece was laid 
out to him at the same time of two acres and a half, ex- 
tending from the highway east to the bound line. The 
first house is said to have been a log house, or a very 
small framed house. It may have been built with the 
785 feet of boards and the 472 feet of plank which his ac- 
count book tells us Timothy Scott sawed for him in 1776. 
He was not married until 1779, and the account book 
items rather indicate that he had a house for his wife 
when he married her, — a fact not the fortune of every 
young man in those days, and possibly not of every one 
at the present day. He afterwards built another house, 
which was taken down in 1872, by his great-grandson, 
David L. Frisbie, and on the same site he has built a fine 
21 



306 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

house, good for the next hundred years. The house he 
took down is said to have been eighty-nine years old. 

Mr. Frisbie's journal is given in full, because of its con- 
nection with the war of the Revolution : 

A REMARKABLE SEASON. 

On the 24th day of April, in the year 1773, things were so re- 
markably forward as that rye began to ear, the buds and leaves in 
the woods began to be considerably thick, the buds of walnut and 
black oak began to part and shoot forth into leaves, and I saw 
one cherry sprig that had grown nine inches this season. It is 
to be noticed that on the 14th of May, apple trees were past 
the bloom. 

June, the first part, 1773. Having occasion to travel into 
several towns, viz., Lenox, Richmond, and Norfolk, I saw on 
the nth and 12th days of June, the biggest grass I ever saw, and 
on the 12th I saw grass mowed and the hay carried oft". It is to 
be observed that on the night following the nth of June there 
was a great frost, which much damaged Indian corn, — killed it 
to the ground in many places, cut off some pieces of wheat and 
rye, and much damaged other-. And it is likewise to be noticed 
that we had a remarkable warm fall and fore part of winter, so 
that the whole summer was very long. But about the eight and 
twentieth day of December, there fell a snow, and by numbers of 
succeeding snows, the ground was deeply covered, and good 
sleighing and sledding held till the latter part of February. I 
would likewise remark that Mr. Alexander Gillet was ordained at 
Farmingbury, on the 29th day of December, in the year 1773. 

JOURNAL AS A SOLDIER IN THE REVOLUTION. 

Waterbury, May 10th, 1776. 

I, that is, Judah Frisbie, enlisted into the government service. 
Met our company the 31st of May, in Waterbury, and had a ser- 
mon by Rev. Mr. Leavenworth. June the first, we marched for 
New York, setting out at noon, and marched to the stores in 
Derby, being thirteen miles. June 2d, — marched from about 
five miles from above Derby town, through it, across Ripton to 
Stratford, being thirteen miles. June 3d. we marched through 



JUDAH FRISBIE. 307 

Poquonack to Old Fairfield, where we were stationed three weeks, 
keeping two guards, the one at the State house, the other at the 
battery. June 24th, we marched across Green's Farms to Norwalk, 
being thirteen miles. June 25th, marched to Stamford, where we 
attended meeting in the afternoon, and at night marched to 
Greenwich, the whole being fourteen miles. June 26th, we joined 
our regiment, which was General Woster's, and, Colonel Water- 
bury's regiment attending us, we set out for New York, and 
marched through Rye, about twelve miles, to New Rochelle. The 
27th. setting out early, we met General Washington, who passed 
us in a genteel manner, and there followed him a band of music. 
June 28th, we marched to the Bowery, of the city of New York ; 
it being very stormy, we got into barns. June 29th, we encamped 
a little back of New York, where we continued three weeks, keep- 
ing two guards, — the General's and the main guards ; the rest of 
the time being spent in exercises and reviews. July 18th, we had 
general orders to decamp and go to Harlem, which we accord- 
ingly did, where we encamped in the manner we did at York. 
About the 24th of July, Colonel Waterbury's regiment had orders 
to embark for Albany, which they did, and were sent to Canada. 
I myself about this time went back to take care of one of our 
company that was left sick at New York. After his recovery I 
again returned, and was sick myself, at a hospital. On the 8th of 
August our regiment, as many as were able, embarked for Long 
Island in pursuit of the regulars that were robbing the inhabitants 
of their cattle, sheep, etc. They were there about three weeks, 
after which they returned, and informed that they — a few of 
them — had been fired on by an armed schooner belonging to the 
regular fleet that was lying off in the Sound, who gave them chase 
as they were in a small boat. A barge also chased them swiftly, 
and ordering them to strike, which they refused, gave fire on the 
barge and caused her to withdraw. They lost no lives, but sup- 
posed they killed three regulars. They had their stations during 
their stay in several places, separately or in parties, — as Plumb's 
Island, Shelter Island, East Hampton, etc. It should have been 
noticed that while they were gone, on Thursday night, 24th of 
August, the people of York were removing from the Battery some 
cannon, of their own property, the Asia, man-of-war, lying in the 



308 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

harbor, took occasion to fire on the city, which much alarmed the 
city, and many of its inhabitants moved back to the country. 
September 28th, we had general orders for a march to Canada. 
We embarked in six vessels, but while we were getting on board, 
a sergeant was drowned in the North River, which was the first 
man we lost in the regiment after we joined them. The said 
sergeant's name was Peck, .belonging to Captain Porter's com- 
pany. 

September 29th, we sailed for Albany, and arrived the first day 
of October; landed and went into the barracks, but, by being 
frightened through fear of the small-pox, we removed to Green- 
bush, where we tarried till the 9th, when we again crossed the 
river, and the 10th we took our way through Albany, thence 
across the Mohawk river to the Half Moon. October nth, we 
went along the still waters to Saratoga. October 12th, we 
marched to Fort Edward, across Harris' Ferry. October 13th, 
we marched to Lake George. October 14th, 15th, and 16th, we 
crossed Lake George to Fort Ticonderoga, where we tarried- until 
the 2 2d of October, when we set out to go up Lake Cham plain. 
The same day we landed at Crown Point, but went about six 
miles above and lodged on the east side of the lake in the woods. 
The 23d we went about forty miles up the lake, and lodged on 
an island. October 24th, we went up the lake about thirty-five 
miles and lodged the west side the lake, in the woods. The 25 th, 
we went to the island of " Oxnawix." October 26th, we went to 
a battery two miles below St. Johns. October 27th, we went 
across the lake, east, a little below St. Johns, and were fired upon 
from the fort, but had no man killed ; only one wounded, and 
that slightly. We then traveled through miry woods, in which 
we got bewildered, till most night, having heavy pieces, when we 
came in sight of an encampment, which was our design. This 
encampment, lying two miles north of St. Johns, and on the west 
side of the river Sorell, we being to the east, were helped across 
the river by the French, and accordingly we pitched our encamp- 
ment by the other. The 2Sth of October, at night, we began a 
battery within about sixty rods of the fort, which we were two 
days and three nights in building, during which time we had a 
considerable number of bombs, cannon balls, and grape-shot fired 



JUDAH FRISBIE. 309 

at us from the fort; but it was remarkable that we had not a man 
killed, and only a few slight wounds. The first day of November 
we opened our battery in the morning, and continued a hot fire 
from it, and from a battery the east side of the lake, till near 
night, when the fort was forced to a capitulation, which held till 
the third day of November, and then the regulars marched out 
with their arms, the artillerymen coming out first, with a field 
piece, and the train following them. They paraded and laid down 
their arms, our people taking possession of them. Our officers 
marched their soldiery into the fort, taking possession of the same. 
It is to be noted that on the first of November we had two men 
killed and another wounded. The sixth day of November we 
marched for Montreal, and though the traveling was extremely 
bad. yet we arrived at Laparary, where we tarried awhile, and I 
was sent on a guard of prisoners, and it fell to my lot to take care 
of a sick man, at the Half-way House, until our men had been to 
Montreal and returned for home. 

The 18th of November they came to where I was, and I 
marched with them to St. Johns. The 19th. we got five brass 
cannon and six "hoits" out of St. Johns. The 20th, we set 
out from St. Johns, rowing about twenty-four miles, and lay the 
west side of the lake, among the French. The 21st, we rowed 
about thirty miles, and la\ in the woods, and on the 2 2d we rowed 
about thirty-two miles, and lodged on the west side of the lake, 
among the English settlements. The 23d, we rode about thirty 
miles, and lodged the east side of the lake, among the English 
settlements. The 24th. we were forced to leave the lake, by rea- 
son of ice, and take our baggage on our backs and, marching, we 
arrived at Ticonderoga. The 25th, we crossed Lake Champlain, 
eastward, and lay in the woods. The 26th, we marched for Otter 
Creek Road, but it being stormy, we got lost, being bewildered 
the most of that day. The 27 th, we marched about ten miles, 
from Shoreham to Sudbury, and the 28th we came to Huberton, 
being about ten miles. The 29th, we came through Castletown to 
Poultney, about fifteen miles, and the 30th we came about eleven 
miles, to Wellstown. December 1st, we came through Paulet, 
thence through Rueport to Dorset, about seventeen miles. De- 
cember 2d, we came through Manchester, thence through Sun- 



310 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

derland, thence through Allington to Shaftsbury, about twenty-two 
miles. December 3d, we traveled to Bennington, about twelve 
miles, and December 4th we came through Poundwell to East 
Hoosack, about sixteen miles, to Captain Jones'. December 
5th, we came about three miles, to Mr. Todd's. December 6th, 
we came to Lansingburg, about fourteen miles, and the 7th we 
came through Pittsfield, thence through Lenox to Stockbridge, 
about twenty miles. December 8th, we came through Barrington 
to New Marlboro, twenty miles. December 9th, we came to Nor- 
folk, where I stayed with my cousin till the 13th, when I trav- 
eled through Colebrook, thence across a part of Winchester and 
Barkhamstead, thence across New Hartford, thence through West 
Simsbury, thence through Farmington to Farmingbury. 

JOURNAL BEGINNING AUGUST I2TH, 1 7 76. 

Marched with Ensign Gaylord from Farmingbury, with twelve 
men, to Wallingford. August 13th, Lieutenant Peck joining us, 
we marched to East Guilford.- August 14th, Captain Meigs, with 
his company, sailed from New York. We arrived at New York 
the 15 th, and tarried there until the 20th of August, when we 
marched up and crossed the North river about ten miles above 
the city, and were stationed at Fort Lee. September 5th, died 
one Lyman, of Captain Denny's company, with camp distemper. 
September 8th, died Sergeant Mosley, of Captain Denny's com- 
pany, with camp distemper. 

Here suddenly ends the journal of the war life of Judah 
Frisbie. The little book in which this is written by him- 
self is 16 mo., covered with thin " pasteboard," written in 
a very plain hand, and almost elegant style, and the com- 
position indicates an unusual aptness in writing a journal. 
It is here copied almost word for word. 

The following extracts from Judah Frisbie's account- 
book show the prices of several articles as sold in a 
farming community : 

1767 TO 1774. CAPTAIN GEORGE NICHOLS, DEBTOR. 

£ s. d. 
To a month's work, 1 10 o 

To 1 bushel of wheat, o 4 o 



JUDAII FRIsmfc. 311 

To a bushel and a half of wheat, 060 

To two bushels Indian corn, 040 

To one day's mowing, 030 

To a day's work cradling, O 3 O 

To a day's mowing, o 3 O 

To two day's reaping, 060 

To five shillings cash, 050 

To paying by Ebenezer Wakelee, 080 

To a day's mowing, 030 

To two day's mowing, 060 

r;S5 TO 17S9. CHARGES TO DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS. 

s. d. 

To a pair of oxen half a day, O 8 

To a yoke of oxen two-thirds of a day, 1 <> 

To a horse to Farmingbury and to Southingt'n, o 4 

To a pair of women's soles, I 6 

five pounds and four ounces of pork, 2 9 

To two bushels of rye. 7 o 

I'm half bushel of potatoes, O 9 

To one and a half pounds of fat, o g 

To half pound of butter, O 5 

To ten pounds seven ounces of pork, 6 1 

To a quart of rum, I 3 

To a pound of butter, o 10 

As balancing in part some of the above charges, we 

find credit : — 

s. d. 

By a day's \\ ork, 2 o 

By two days' work, 4 o 

By a day's farming, 2 o 

By two daj s, 4 o 

By half a day, 1 o 

KLXATHAN THRASHER, DKBfOR. 

s. d. 
To a Live sheep weighing ninety pounds, at a 

penny a pound, 7 6 

Credit (in part) by cash, 1 4 

By seven pounds of mutton, 1 o 

NATHANIEL SUTLIFF, DEBTOR. 

To a bushel of flaxseed, 6s. 



DEBTOR. 




£ 


s. 


d. 


i 


I 


o 


o 


3 


1 1 


o 


i 


9 


o 


2 


i 


o 


2 


6 



312 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT 

NATHANIEL BARNES, THE SMITH, 

To seven hundred boards, 

To live pounds and fourteen ounces of 

steel, at eight pence per pound, 
To four pounds three ounces of flax, 
To five pounds of flax, 
To six pounds of flax, 

MR. GILLET, DEBTOR. 

s. d. 

To eight pounds of mutton, 2 o 

To four pence over pay in grain the last year's 

rate, the above to go on March, I7c)0, rate, o 4 

To a bushel of rye, 3 O 

To twenty-eight pounds of beef, 4 8 

To six pounds of tallow, 3 o 

To a pound of hog suet, o 6 

To a pound of beef suet, O 6 

To a bushel of rye. 3 o 

To over pay on last rate bill, 2 5 

To a bushel of wheat, 5 o 



REV. ALEXANDER GILLET. 

Rev. Alexander Gillet was ordained first pastor of the 
Church and Society of Farmingbury December 29th, 
1773, as we learn from the diary of Mr. Judah Frisbie, for 
though the church book that Mr. Gillet kept is dated 
December 29th, 1773, yet he does not say in it that he 
was ordained that day. He had preached for the Society 
previously to the installation, five months or more, and it 
was during this service, on November 1 8th, 1773, and 
after he had received a call from the Society to become 
its pastor, that the church was organized. He served 
the parish with great devotedness under many difficulties, 
nearly eighteen years, being honorably dismissed by a 
conference of churches, and highly commended by the 
conference, and was soon after installed pastor of the 
church in Torrington, Conn., where he continued many 
years. The description of him and his labors published 
in Sprague's Annals, vol. 2, and taken in part from the 
funeral sermon preached at his death, and in part fur- 
nished by Rev. Mr. Marsh, will be interesting to man}', 
and is given in full. 

The poem annexed is certified to be the production of 
Mr. Gillet by very reliable persons of the parish. It was 
printed in a public journal man)- years since, and cut 
from the paper and preserved with great care to the pres- 
ent time ; and it is so much like Mr. Gillet's cast of mind, 
and like the style of religious thought of those days, that 
it is here given in full. 

" Alexander Gillet, son of Zaccheus and Ruth Gillet, 
was born in Granby (Turkey Hills), Conn., August 14th 



314 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

(O. S.), 1749. He early discovered a great fondness for 
books, and especially for history. At the age of thirteen 
he was the subject of serious impressions during a revival 
which then prevailed in several towns in Hartford county ; 
and these impressions, though they seem subsequently to 
have greatly declined, never entirely left him. At the 
age of fourteen he began his preparation for college, 
under the Rev. Nehemiah Strong, his pastor, and com- 
pleted it under the Rev. Roger Viets, an Episcopal cler- 
gyman, and a missionary of the society for propagating 
the gospel in foreign parts. He was admitted a member 
of Yale College, in June, 1767, at an advanced standing, 
and was graduated in September, 1770. It was not till 
the summer of 1769 that his mind seems to have become 
fully settled in regard to the doctrines of the gospel, and 
not until about the close of 1770 that he was the subject 
of any religious experience that he himself believed to 
be genuine. In May, 1771, he united with the church in 
Turkey Hills (Granby), though owing, probably, to there 
being no settled minister in the place, he had no oppor- 
tunity of joining in the celebration of the Lord's Supper 
until December following. After leaving college he 
taught a school for a year or more at Farmington, and it 
is supposed that he may have studied theology during 
that time, under the direction of the Rev. Timothy Pitkin. 
He was licensed to preach by the Hartford Association, 
at Northington, on the 2d of June, 1773. On December 
29th of the same year he was ordained the first pastor of 
the church in Farmingbury (now Wolcott), where he re- 
mained almost eighteen years, diligently employed in the 
duties of his office. Owing to a difficulty which arose in 
his parish, involving no delinquency on his part, his pas- 
toral relation to them was dissolved in November, I79 x » 
and in May following he was installed pastor of the First 
Church, Torrington, with very promising prospects of 
usefulness. Here he continued to labor during the rest 
of his life. 



REV. ALEXANDER GILLET. 315 

Mr. Gillct's ministry was attended with much more 
than the ordinary degree of visible success. At Wolcott 
he was privileged to see large numbers added to his 
church, as the fruit of several revivals that occurred in 
connection with his labors. During the period of his 
ministry at Torrington there were three seasons of deep 
religious interest among his people, the results of which 
are equally benign and extensive. Of one of these last- 
mentioned revivals he published a detailed and interest- 
ing account in an early volume of the Connecticut Evan- 
gelical Magazine. 

Mr. Gillet had much of the missionary spirit, and 
several times volunteered to perform missionary labor. 
Long before the Connecticut Missionary Society was 
formed, he performed good service in some of the desti- 
tute portions of the counties of New London and Wind- 
ham. In 1789, or 1790, he made a missionary tour of 
several months in the new settlements of Vermont, 
under the approbation of the Association of New Haven 
County, and almost entirely at his own expense ; his pul- 
pit being supplied a part of the time by his brethren in 
the vicinity. And at a later period he went, several 
times, by appointment from the Connecticut Missionary 
Society, into those destitute regions, on the same errand 
of good will to men. 

During a few of his last years, Mr. Gillet, on account 
of the advancing infirmities of age, was unable to per- 
form the same amount of ministerial labor to which he had 
been accustomed ; and yet there was scarcely any per- 
ceptable waning of his intellectual faculties, with the ex- 
ception only of his memory, till near the close of his life. 
On being informed of some small mistakes which he had 
made in the pulpit, in consequence of the failure of his 
recollection, he proposed to his people, in the Autumn of 
1824, to release him from his public duties till the follow- 
ing Spring, and to employ some other preacher in his 
stead ; at the same time voluntarily relinquishing his sal- 



316 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

ary during that period. He resumed his labors after hav- 
ing devoted a few months to rest and relaxation, and 
thenceforward continued to supply his pulpit, with few 
exceptions, as long as he lived. He officiated on the last 
Sabbath of his life with his usual correctness and fervor. 
On the following Tuesday, January 19, 1826, he entered 
into rest. During the greater part of the day there was 
nothing to indicate to himself or others the approaching 
change ; for though he complained, about noon, of a 
shooting pain in his breast, it was supposed to be only a 
rheumatic affection, to which he had before occasionally 
been subject. About four o'clock in the afternoon, his 
wife, having occasion to go into his study to ask him a 
question, observed that he made no reply. Upon her re- 
peating the question, and still receiving no answer, she 
hastened to him and found him unable to speak. He was 
immediately laid upon the bed, and after uttering, with 
difficulty, a few broken sentences, ceased to breathe, be- 
ing in the seventy-second year of his age, and the fifty- 
third of his ministry. His funeral was attended on the 
succeeding Sabbath, and an appropriate sermon preached 
by the Rev. Luther Hart, of Plymouth, which was pub- 
lished. 

Mr. Gillet was married, in December, 1779, to Adah, 
third daughter of Deacon Josiah Rogers, of Farming- 
bun', a descendant of John Rogers, the martyr. They 
had six children, one of whom, Timothy Phelps, was 
graduated at Williams College, in 1804, and has been for 
many years pastor of the Congregational church in 
Branford, Conn. Mrs. Gillet died in May, 1839, aged 
seventy-seven. 

Mr. Gillet published a sermon in a volume entitled 
" Sermons on Important Subjects," 1797, and a sermon at 
the ordination of his son, 1808. He was a contributor 
to the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, and to the 
Christian Spectator. 



REV. ALEXANDER G1LLET. 317 

FROM THE REV. FREDERICK MARSH. 

Winchester, Conn., May 27th, 1856. 

Dear Sir: — My first knowledge of the Rev. Alexander Gillet 
was in New Hartford, during the great revival, 1798 and 1799, 
when he occasionally came there with Mr. Mills, Mr. Miller, and 
others, to assist Dr. Griffin. My particular acquaintance with 
him commenced soon after coming to this place, in 1808. From 
that time (as our parishes were contiguous) till his decease in 
1826, our relations became more and more intimate, and I can 
truly say that he ever treated me with paternal kindness. Besides 
the ordinary ministerial exchanges and intercourse, he used to 
visit us and preach in seasons of special religious interest. 

In his person, Mr. Gillet was rather above the medium stature 
and size, of a full habit, broad shoulders, short neck, and large 
head. His position was erect, except a slight forward inclination 
of the head. His face was broad, and unusually square and 
full, illumined by large, prominent blue eyes, the whole indicating 
more of intellect than vivacity. His ordinary movements were 
grave and thoughtful. In his manner he was plain, unosten- 
tatious, and at the greatest possible distance from all that is ob- 
trusive. He was courteous and kind, swift to hear and slow to 
speak, apparently esteeming others better than himself, and in all 
his intercourse exhibiting a delicate sense of propriety. 

As a man of intellect he held a decidedly high rank. He had 
an aversion to everything superficial. Ever fond of study, he 
went thoroughly and deeply into the investigation of his subject, 
whatever it might be. He was an admirable linguist, and above 
all excelled in the knowledge of the Bible, — not merely in his own 
language, but in the original. As a scholar, he was characterized 
by great accuracy. I have heard an eminent minister, who fitted 
for college under his instructions, say that he never found any 
tutor so accurate and thorough in the languages as Mr. Gillet. 
He was also very familiarly and extensively acquainted with 
history ; and he studied history especially as an exposition of 
prophecy. 

But the crowning attribute of his character was his devoted 
piety and high moral excellence. While great simplicity and 
godly sincerity characterized his habitual deportment, it was still 



318 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

only by an intimate and extended acquaintance with him, and by 
observing his spirit and conduct in trying circumstances, that one 
could gain anything like a full view of this part of his character. 
During seventeen years of familiar intercourse with him, my mind 
became constantly more impressed with the depth of his piety, — 
his unreserved consecration to God, his self-sacrificing devoted- 
ness to the cause of Christ and the highest interests of his fellow 
men. Among the most striking elements of his religious character 
were meekness, humility, and a conscientious and apparently 
immutable regard to truth and duty. 

In social life, Mr. Gillet's constitutional reserve, and defect of 
conversational powers, rendered him less interesting and useful 
than might have been expected from such resources of mind and 
heart as he possessed. Ordinarily he said little in ecclesiastical 
meetings. Patiently listening to all the younger members choose 
to say, he would remain silent, unless some gordian knot was to 
be untied, or some latent error to be detected ; and then he would 
show his opinion to good purpose. With individuals and in 
private circles, where religious or other important topics became 
matter of conversation, he would often talk with much freedom 
and interest. 

In his ministeral character and relations there was much to be 
admired and loved, and some things to be regretted. It may 
readily be inferred from what I have already said in respect to his 
intellectual powers and attainments, his piety, his studious habits 
and devotedness to his appropriate work, that his sermons were of 
no ordinary stamp. And thus it really was. He presented Divine 
truth with great clearness and point. Hence his preaching took 
strong hold of congregations in times of revival. Often in closing 
his discourse by an extemporary effusion, he would turn to some 
one class of hearers, and urge upon them his subject in its practical 
bearings with a tenderness and earnestness that were quite over- 
powering. 

But as his delivery was rendered laborious and difficult by an 
impediment in his speech, he could not be called a popular 
preacher. Those who regarded the manner more than the matter 
of a discourse would pronounce him dull. But he was a ski llful 
and faithful guide to souls; and his labors were abundantly 



REV. ALEXANDER (Ml LET. 319 

blessed not only to the people to whom he ministered but to 
others. 

Of pastoral labor Mr. Gillet performed less than many of his 
brethren. His constitutional diffidence, his incapacity for entering 
into free and familiar intercourse with people generally, and his 
love for study, probably all combined to produce in him a convic- 
tion that he could accomplish the greatest good by making 
thorough preparation for the pulpit, for occasional meetings, and 
seasons of prayer, rather than devoting much of his time to 
pastoral visits. 

On the whole, he was an able, laborious, faithful and successful 
minister — ever bringing out of his treasure things new and old, 
edifying the body of Christ, enjoying the confidence and affection- 
ate regard of his brethren, and exhibiting uniformly such an 
example of consistency with his profession as to leave no room to 
doubt either his sincerity or his piety. 

I remain, dear sir, fraternally and truly yours. 

Frederick Marsh. 

gloom of autumn. 

[Said to have been composed by Alex. Gillet.] 

Hail ! ye sighing sons of sorrow. 

View with me the Autumnal gloom ; 
Learn from hence your fate to-morrow — 

Dead perhaps — laid in the tomb. 

See all nature, fading, dying ! 

Silent all things seem to mourn ; 
Life from vegetation flying, 

Calls to mind my mouldering urn. 

Oft an Autumn's tempest rising, 

Makes the lofty forest nod ; 
Scenes of nature, how surprising I 

Read in nature, nature's God. 

See our Sovereign, sole Creator, 

Lives eternal in the skies; 
While we mortals yield to nature, 

Bloom awhile, then fade and die. 



320 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Nations die by dread Belona, 
Through the tyranny of kings ; 

Just like plants by pale Pamona 
Fall to rise in future springs. 

Mournful scenes, when vegetation 
Dies by frost, or worms devour ; 

Doubly mournful when a nation 

Falls by neighboring nation's power. 

Death my anxious mind depresses, 
Autumn shows me my decay; 

Calls to mind my past distresses, 
Warns me of my dying day. 

Autumn makes me melancholy, 
Strikes dejection through my soul; 

While I mourn my former folly 
Waves of sorrow o'er me roll. 

Lo ! I hear the air resounding 
With expiring insect cries : 

Ah ! to me their moans how wounding — 
Emblem of my own demise, 

Hollow winds about me roaring; 

Noisy waters round me rise ; 
While I sit my fate deploring, 

Tears are flowing from my eyes. 

What to me are Autumn's treasures, 
Since I know no earthly joy? 

Long I've lost all youthful pleasure^ — 
Time must youth and health destroy. 

Pleasure once I fondly courted, 

Shared each bliss that youth bestows ; 

But to see where then I sported 
Now embitters all my woes. 



REV. ALEXANDER (HI. LET. 32 I 

Age and sorrow since have blasted 

Every youthful, pleasing dream ; 
Quivering age with youth contrasted : 

Oh, how short their glories seem. 

As the annual frosts are cropping 

Leaves and tendrils from the trees, 
So my friends are yearly dropping 

Through old age or dire desease. 

Former friends, oh, how I've sought them ! 

Just to cheer my drooping mind; 
But they're gone, like leaves in Autumn, 

Driven before the dreary wind. 

Spring and Summer, Fall and Winter, 

Each in swift succession roll — 
So my friends in death do enter 

Bringing sadness to my soul. 

Death has laid them down to slumber ; 

Solemn thought — to think that I 
Soon must be one of their number. — 

Soon, so soon with them to lie. 

When a few more years are wasted ; 

When a few more suns are o'er; 
When a few more griefs I've tasted 

I shall fall to rise no more. 

Fast my sun of life's declining. 

Soon 'twill set in endless night ; 
But my hopes are past repining ; 

Rest in future life and light. 

Cease this fearing, trembling, sighing; 

Death will break the awful gloom — 
Soon my spirit fluttering, flying, 

Must be borne beyond the tomb. 

22 



REV. TIMOTHY P. GILLET. 

The following biographical sketch is taken from the 
funeral sermon of Rev. T. P. Gillet, preached by Rev. W. 
P. Eustis, jr., pastor of Chapel Street church, New Ha- 
ven, at Rranford, November 7th, 1866: 

Timothy Phelps Gillet was born June 15, 1780, in Farming- 
bury, now Wolcott, being the eldest child of Alexander and Adah 
Gillet. His father was, at the time of his birth, pastor of the 
church in Farmingbury, and after a settlement of eighteen years, 
was dismissed November, 1791, and in the following May was 
installed pastor of the First Church in Torrington, where he died, 
January 19, 1S26, in the seventy-seventh year of his age, and the 
fifty-third of his ministry. His wife was the third daughter of 
Deacon Josiah Rogers, of Farmingbury, Conn., and a descendant 
of the famous John Rogers.* Rev. Alexander Gillet was the 
child of pious parents, who lived in a part of Simsbury, Conn., 
now Granby, and was trained in the knowledge of divine truth by 
his devout grandmother. 

The father of Timothy was a man of uncommon ability, and 
was, in his day, among the leading preachers in Connecticut. 
Graduating at Yale College, in 1770, he retained his familiarity 
with classical literature, and after the meridian of life commenced 
the study of Hebrew, and modestly acknowledged, in later years, 
that he had read through the Hebrew bible three times. He had 
a large library for that day, and in theology claimed to be a 
disciple of Edwards. His ministry was abundantly blessed, and 
one of the early volumes of the "Connecticut Evangelical 

* Deacon Rogers belonged to the family of Thomas Rogers, who came 
over in the Mayflower. 



REV. TIMOTHY P. GILLKT. 323 

Magazine " contains his narrative of a great revival of religion in 
Torrington, where his son Timothy was hopefully converted. This 
son, the eldest of six children, two of whom survive, inherited 
many of his father's characteristics, and we trace a family likeness 
between the pastor at Torringford and the pastor at Branford, in 
the portrait of the former, by his friend. Rev. Luther Hart. 

The following sentences of this brief memoir might be 
applied to the venerable son, as well as to the honored 
father : " It was one of the most prominent traits of his 
character that he made all of his literary pursuits sub- 
servient to the momentous business of his holy calling. 
He daily consecrated his time and talents to the service 
of Christ. Scarcely has any person, in any station, ut- 
tered fewer words at random. Possessing a wonderful 
command over his passions, provocations rarely betrayed 
him into expressions which demanded regret ; and care- 
full}' guarding against all undue animal excitement, even 
if others in his company were facetious, it is not recol- 
lected that he ever uttered a sentence inconsistent with 
the dignity and sobriety becoming the gospel. His 
eldest son has observed, 'Though he frequently smiled, I 
never heard him laugh.' " 

Alluding to his personal habits and characteristics, the 
writer adds : 

Upon him whose character is attempted to be delineated -in 
these pages, no defect, on the score of economy, could be charged. 
Without patrimony, and receiving, till within a few years of his 
death, a small salary, he yet, by the assistance of his frugal and 
industrious companion, brought up six children ; assisted one of 
them in procuring a collegiate education, and left his family in 
possession of a valuable farm. 

Another leading trait in his character was, that he did every- 
thing methodically, and in season. At a particular hour he 
retired at night, and at a particular hour he rose in the morning. 
He was distinguished for his punctuality in the fulfillment of his 
public and private engagements. 



324 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

These quotations indicate the origin of those charac- 
teristics in which the son closely resembled the father, 
whom he revered. Timothy P. Gillet entered Williams 
College in 1800, when he was twenty years of age, and 
graduated in 1804. After graduation, Mr. Gillet taught 
for one year at Cornwall, and then in the academy at 
Williamstown, until, in 1806, he was appointed tutor, 
and retained that office for a year and a half. Gordon 
Hall, Samuel J. Mills, and James Richards, were then 
under-graduates in that college, and Mr. Gillet has stated 
to members of his congregation that they were accus- 
tomed to hold a prayer-meeting in his room, and to con- 
sult in regard to the duty of carrying the gospel to the 
heathen. He never lost the interest thus awakened in 
foreign missions, but was an earnest advocate of the 
cause, and a warm friend of the American Board. 
During his tutorship he studied theology under President 
Fitch, and was licensed as a candidate for the gospel 
ministry, by the Litchfield North Association, September 
30th, 1806. In the winter of 1 807-8, having resigned his 
tutorship, Mr. Gillet supplied the pulpit, for two Sundays, 
at East Haven, and was then invited to preach in the va- 
cant pulpit of the church at Branford. He received, 
shortly after, a call to settle with them in the gospel 
ministry, on a salary of five hundred dollars, and the 
privilege of cutting fire-wood on the Society's lands, until, 
from continued ill health or infirmity, he should be no 
longer able to perform the duties of a gospel minister 
among them. This invitation was accepted, and June 
15th, 1808, on his twenty-eighth birth-day, he was or- 
dained to the work of the gospel ministry as pastor of 
this church. 

Mr. Gillet was married, November 29th, 1808, to Sallie 
Hodges, who, after nearly sixty years of a happy and 
peaceful wedlock, survives him to mourn his absence, 
tarrying for the summons which will reunite them in the 
heavenly society. 



REV. TIMOTHY P. GILLET. 325 

He died at his residence in Branford, November 5th, 
1866, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, and the fifty- 
ninth of his ministry. 



DEACON AARON HARRISON. 

Aaron Harrison was born May 3d, 1726, in East Ha- 
ven, where his great-grandfather settled after emigrating 
from England. His father, Benjamin, removed from East 
Haven to Wolcott, in 1738, and settled on Benson Hill, 
now Wolcott Center, where Aaron resided until near the 
close of life, when he removed half a mile south-east, 
where he died. Coming to Wolcott at the age of twelve 
years, where there were no schools within six miles, he 
in some way attained to a proficiency of scholarship more 
than ordinary, under the circumstances, as appears in his 
writings and the prominent relations to the community 
which he sustained through life. 

He married, October 26th, 1748, Jerusha, daughter of 
Obadiah Warner. His brother Benjamin and sister Abi- 
gail married a daughter and son of Dr. Benjamin Warner, 
the brother of Obadiah. 

In the organization of the Ecclesiastical Society and 
Church of Farmingbury, Aaron bore a responsible and 
honorable part, and on the fourth of January, 1774, he 
was chosen first deacon of the church, when in his forty- 
eighth year. He was chosen moderator of the first So- 
ciety meeting, a position of special honor at that time, 
and served in many offices of the society and church many 
years thereafter. He was the first captain of the military 
company of Farmingbury Winter parish, — Isaac Hop- 
kins, probably, being the second, and John Alcox the 
third. The deacon's kindly disposition, his intelligence 
and faithfulness to the public good, were such that the 



DEACON AARON HARRISON. 327 

people reposed in him the fullest confidence and trust, as 
indicated by Deacon Isaac Bronson, who felt at liberty to 
talk with "that good man, Deacon Aaron Harrison," 
when he was afraid to speak to any one else on the sub- 
ject of religion. He was, indeed, the under shepherd in 
the church during the labors of Revs. Gillet, Woodward, 
Hart, and Keys, — a term of nearly fifty years, being at 
the time of his death a father to all " Israel " in this 
parish. The first public prayer offered in the first Meet- 
ing house was by Deacon Aaron Harrison, and in that 
house he worshiped forty-seven years, hearing in his 
latter days the remarkable voice of his grand-son, Ste- 
phen, leading the hosts of Israel in the songs of the 
sanctuary. 

The following extracts are taken from that part of his 
journal which is still preserved : 

OCTOBER 21, 1797, 1N THK SEVENTY- SECOND YEAR 01 MY AGE. 

When I look upon a life of sin and iniquity, through the course 
of the age of man, it seemeth impossible that such a creature 
should ever be saved. I am a stupid creature and dead in sin, and 
a faithless hypocrite, but not in utter despair, because the grace 
of God is infinite. But O that I could overcome my lusts and 
get into the liberty of Christ Jesus. O that I could act and 
conduct right towards God and men! O that I could keep a 
conscience void of offense towards God and men ! 

October 14. — Melancholy apprehensions concerning my state 
and situation, looking on myself to be on the brink of eternity and 
so unconcerned and unmoved that I wonder at my own stupidity. 

May 29, 1798. — I have lived to see seventy-two years this 
present month. There has not been a sermon preached in 
Wolcott Meeting house since Mr. Woodward preached his first 
sermon on probation, but that I have heard, except a few Sabbaths 
when I was sick with the pere-pneumonia. which 1 look upon as 
strange, considering my age and infirmities. 

It is a poor sign for people to rejoice more in their good frames 
and good feelings than in the perfections of the blessed God. 

Man lives a fool, a fool he cannot die. 



328 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

May i, [or 3] 1799. — I have lived seventy-three years this day, 
but am dead while I live. 

May 23, 1799. — Yesterday Mr. Curtiss Hall fell from a tree 
that was already down, as he was standing upon the body of the 
tree, about six feet from the ground, was immediately struck 
senseless and died the next morning, without speaking a word. 

July 24, 1802. — Mr. David Norton, aged seventy-one, sitting 
near the fire, was struck with lightning which came down the 
chimney, and instantly expired. He was a constant attendant on 
public worship and religious conferences; improved in church, 
and was approved in society as a useful member; frequently 
visiting and helping and praying with the sick. Labor and care, 
misfortune and wearisomeness were his constant attendants 
through life, and he has left an infirm and almost helpless widow 
to mourn her loss in briny tears. 

January 20, 1803. — Departed this life, by the fall of a tree, 
which instantly killed him, Mr. Nathan Johnson, a man of profes- 
sion and example, and in the prime of life, leaving a widow and a 
young child. 

Take the alarm, O my soul ! 

July 8, 181 2. — Taken into church — Esther Harrison, Freelove 
Upson, Maria YVakelee, and Lydia Alcox, in younger life. May 
they live and adorn the Christian profession. 

He died Sept. 5, 1819, aged 93, and his wife died eight 
days later, Sept. 13,1819, aged 92 ; they having been mar- 
ried more than seventy years. The following record was 
made by Rev. Mr. Keys, concerning the funeral : " He 
had been a man highly useful and highly esteemed in this 
place. He was one of those through whose exertions a 
located society was first established in this place. He aided 
in procuring the town charter ; moderated the first town 
meeting ; was the first captain of a military company ; 
was the first deacon of the church, and offered up the 
first public prayer in the first Meeting-house. He was 
buried on the sixth, and his bier was followed by a large 
concourse of people. It being the day of a semi-annual 
military review,-- the militia being then under arms, — 



DEACON AARON HARRISON. 329 

the procession was met by the company and escorted to 
the Meeting house where the Throne of Grace was ad- 
dressed, and a short address made to the congregation ; 
thence to the grave-yard, where the remains were depos- 
ited in the tomb, followed by the tender sympathies of 
many relatives and friends." 

Some of the people now living remember that funeral 
procession ; the long concourse of people ; the military 
men with their reversed arms ; the slow, solemn tread of 
the company, while the band played the funeral dirge 
(Pleyel's Hymn), thrilling every heart with sadness by 
the peculiar strains of minor music, as rendered by the 
old style instruments. 

Well might the people sorrow, for a good man of Israel 
had fallen. Not many men live so long and do as much 
public service, and go down to their last sleep so gen- 
erally respected, loved, and honored as he. His life is a 
worthy pattern for the church for ages to come. The 
church had trials and difficulties severe, but in the midst 
of them stood, always, Deacon Harrison, firm to justice, 
full of mercy, true to God, and large-hearted towards all 
men. He had seen the wilderness give place to a pros- 
perous, fruitful land. The church from a feeble band had 
become numerous and strong, though many had gone 
before him to the church triumphant. His children, 
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, had grown up 
around him, to give him only honor and gladness in the 
closing years of life, 

Eight days after his departure his wife Jerusha followed 
him to that land for which they had been striving for 
many years, and where he was scarcely introduced to the 
angelic throng before she joined him in the melody and 
harmony in that land of life. 



REV. LUCAS HART. 

Rev. Lucas Hart was a descendant of Deacon Simeon 
Hart, one of the pioneers of what is now Burlington, then 
Farming West Woods, and subsequently West Briton. 
Deacon Hart was the first deacon of the church organized 
at the ordination of its first pastor, Rev. Jonathan Miller. 
The father of Lucas was the third son of Deacon Simeon, 
and was a prominent man in the town in civil, military, 
and ecclesiastical matters. His name was Simeon. Lu- 
cas was born at West Briton, June 5th, 1784. When 
quite young he was employed as a school teacher in the 
winter season, studying at the same time, until he com- 
menced fitting for college. When nineteen years old he 
united with the church in his native place, under the pas- 
toral care of the Rev. Jonathan Miller. From this time 
he bent all his energies to get an education, teaching in 
the winter, and working on the farm with his father in 
the summer, until the spring previous to his arriving at 
the age of twenty-one. At this time he commenced in 
earnest to fit for college. He went to Morris Academy, 
then in South Farms, now the town of Morris, in Litch- 
field county, to prosecute his studies, and by too close 
application to study, injured his health, which he never 
afterwards regained. Unwilling to give up the idea of 
becoming a minister, he applied himself, as he was able, 
to theological studies, his pastor being his instructor ; at 
the same time writing largely on theological subjects, as 
he had been accustomed to do for several years. When 
twenty-six years old he was licensed by the Litchfield 



REV. LUCAS HART. 33 1 

North Association, September 25th, 1810. He was em- 
ployed by the Missionary Society of Connecticut, part of 
the time, until he commenced preaching for the church 
in Wolcott, in August, 181 1. He was ordained pastor in 
Wolcott December 4th, 181 1. He married Harriet, 
daughter of Deacon Amos Harris, of East Haven, on 
Thanksgiving evening, November, 181 1, about a week 
before his ordination. He was a good minister and pas- 
tor, and successful in his work a year and ten months. In 
the fall of 1813, he went with his wife and child to East 
Haven, to his wife's father's, on a visit, where he and his 
little son were sick with dysentery. His son died Octo- 
ber nth, and he October 16th. His son, Edward Lucas, 
was born after his father's decease. This son is now a 
successful teacher, resides in Farmington, and has in his 
care two Chinamen and one Spanish lady as his pupils. 
The widow died in New Haven, February 23d, 1853. 



LUCAS C. HOTCHKISS. 

Mr. Lucas Curtiss Hotchkiss, the son of Major Luther 
Hotchkiss, was born in Wolcott, October 14, 1807, and 
resided with his father, on the farm, until he was eighteen 
years of age, during which time he attended the District 
school in the winters after he was of sufficient age to 
attend school. In 1825, he went to that part of Southing- 
ton called Plantsville, where he engaged as a mechanic 
for Messrs. Merriman and Copps, manufacturers of lasts 
and many kinds of handles used in making boots and 
shoes. Here he continued three years, making some 
intellectual improvement by attending school in the 
winters. In the spring of 1828, he removed to Meriden, 
and was in the employ of Messrs. Lauren, Merriman, & Co., 
making ivory and wooden combs, and machinery for the 
manufacturing of the same. After a few years this firm 
dissolved, and Mr. Hotchkiss became partner in the same 
business with Messrs. Walter Webb and Philo Pratt. He. 
was afterwards partner with Mr. Oliver Snow in the 
manufacture of hardware and general machinery. 

In 1829, he united with the First Congregational church 
in Meriden, where he still holds his membership, and in 
which church he was leader of the choir for a number of 
years. To him music has lost none of its charms, 
especially when in the order of the " old tunes." Like 
many others, when prosperity began to favor his labors 
in worldly goods, he returned to his native town, and 
won for his bride Miss Rufina Hall, daughter of Captain 
Levi Hall, in October, 1831. He has four children. His 



LUCAS C. HOTCHKISS. 333 

daughter, Sarah Ann, married Mr. Edward P. Yale, a 
successful merchant of New Haven ; his daughter, Olive, 
married Mr. L. W. Curtiss, of New Britain ; and his son, 
Levi H., married Miss Mary Marshall, of Hartford. His 
wife, Rufina, died in 1850, aged forty years. About two 
years afterwards he married Mary Ann Raymond, of 
New Haven, and the son of this marriage, Arthur R., 
resides in Providence, R. I. 

Mr. Hotchkiss has a very pleasant home in West 
Meriden, where he now resides, striving to accomplish 
good for humanity in various ways, as opportunity affords. 
He has been a man of thought, taking notice of passing 
events around him in all his life, and hence many items 
of history are incorporated in this book which will add 
much to the pleasure of the reader, for they are all of the 
pleasant and cheerful kind. 

He has furnished the following interesting reminiscen- 
ces : 

Some of the school teachers in the Center district from 181 2 
to 1825, were these : Thomas Upson, Mark Upson, Irad Bron- 
son, William Bartholomew. Clark Bronson, Luther Roper, Levi 
Parker, William A. Alcott, John Potter son of Dr. Potter. Mr. 
John Clark of Waterbury taught a select school in the winter of 
1826, in the house where Rev. Mr. Keys had lived. The old 
school house stood very near the present one. The writing tables 
extended around on three sides of the room, and were placed 
against the wall, so that the writers sat with their backs to the 
teacher. Long benches, made of oak slabs, extended around 
the room in front of the writing tables. Benches were made for 
small children, in the same style, with no backs. Bible reading, 
without opposition, was the custom in the morning. Columbian 
Orator, American Preceptor, and Webster's Spelling Book, were 
text books. Writing and spelling were leading studies every day, 
and on Saturday the Old Assembly Catechism, in the Con- 
gregational order and the Episcopal order, were regularly repeated. 
Daily exercises were required in the Moral Catechism, in Webster's 
spelling book, and the sounds of the letters of the alphabet, viz : 
b has one sound, as in bite, etc. 



334 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

When David Harrison taught school in the East district, he had 
a nephew by the name of Beebe, living with him and attending 
school. Mr. Harrison composed some verses, which the boy 
repeated, and for which he received hundreds of pennies : 

"Alvin Miles Beebe is my name, 

I am a lad of little fame ; 

Yet I can read, and spell, and play, 

Which is my business every day. 

Before I lived, my father died; 

Three orphans left and me beside — 

And here I stand, a squint-eyed lad, 

Pray, give me a cent — I will be glad." 
This Mr. Beebe now resides in West Haven, and has a family 
grown to manhood. 

One of the members of the military company, a good, honest 
man, but very odd, was chosen a corporal, and when the choice 
was announced by the captain, he stepped in front of the company 
and spoke as follows: "Gentlemen, officers, and fellow-soldiers — 
I am greatly surprised at the choice you have made, when there 
are such men as the Plumbs and the Beechers, who are not afraid 
of the woods full of Indians, nor a hell full of devils. I thank 
you for the respect you have shown me, but I cannot accept." 
Then making a low bow, took his place in the ranks. 

This same person went to spend an evening with a young lady, 
in the West district, and she refused his company by saying she 
was sick. "Well," said he, "if you are sick, you must be prayed 
for," and he wrote a notice (giving the name as was the custom) 
and gave it to the minister the next Sabbath, who read it, and 
prayers were offered in the presence of the young lady, but she 
did not rise as was the custom. 

Daniel Munson married Maranda Selcriggs, the daughter of 
widow Molly Selcriggs. The next day Mr. Jared Welton's 
daughter told Dinah, a negro woman, what had happened. Said 
Dinah: "Law me, du tell; Daniel Munson smart man, married 
Randa Selcriggs ; how it does seem ; what a happy choice it is to 
Mrs. Molly — git all Mrs. Molly's wood. Did oor pappa and 
mamma do to wedding ? " 

Praying /or the sick was a custom regularly observed. When 



LUCAS C. HOTCHKISS. 335 

any members of the congregation were sick, the following 
notice was read from the pulpit: Elijah Royce and wife re- 
quest the prayers of God's people in behalf of their son, who is 
dangerously ill ; friends and neighbors joining with them in this 
request." Any members of the family present at the reading, 
would rise in their seats. If the sick recovered, thanks were re- 
turned, the form of rising in the audience being observed. If the 
person died, another notice would be read, as follows ; " Elijah 
Royce and wife having lost a beloved son, by death, ask the 
prayers of God's people that this severe affliction may be sancti- 
fied to their spiritual and everlasting good." I speak of Mr. 
Royce's family, as they were often sick. This was in Mr. Keys' 
time. 

Mr. Keys once preached from the text: "Ephraim is joined to 
his idols ; let him alone." Ephraim Hall was present, and was 
young enough to smile, then, as did many others ; they are too 
old now to smile. 

Mr. Keys exchanged pulpits with the minister at Northfield. 
In those days it was the custom for the leader of the choir to 
name the tune so loud that the singers and the congregation 
could hear. The minister from Northfield, in opening the ser- 
vice, read the hymn commencing: — 

" Lord, what a wretched land is this 
That yields us no supplies." 

The chorister named the tune Northfield, at which many 
smiled ; the catch of the word indicating that the minister had 
come from such a wretched land. 

Mr. Keys, while preaching a sermon, told of a man who, while 
riding over a bridge, the bridge gave way, and he exclaimed, as 
he went down, ; ' Devil take all ! " at which the young people 
smiled, which was a rare occurrence in those days, for many were 
so superstitious as to think it sinful to smile in church. 



REV. LENT S. HOUGH. 

Rev. Lent S. Hough was born in Wallingford, January 
2 ist, 1804, of worthy parents, and was the second child 
of a family of nine children. His childhood and youth 
were spent in his father's home, on the farm, where he 
received a good common school and academical edu- 
cation. He taught a district school one winter in Meri- 
den, and afterwards taught a select school two years, 
summer and winter, in Freehold, Monmouth county, New 
Jersey. His classical, and part of his theological edu- 
cation, was obtained in Bangor, Maine. He graduated, 
theologically, at Yale Divinity School, in 183 1. During 
his last years in Yale he preached frequently as supply of 
vacant churches, and in aiding neighboring, pastors. 
Under his preaching, in his native town, in aid of an aged 
pastor, a revival commenced, in which there were many 
conversions. 

About the time of graduating he was ordained pastor 
of the church in Chaplain, where he remained five years 
and a half, when his health became poor, causing his dis- 
mission. He afterwards preached as stated supply three 
years in North Madison, and one year in Bethel. He 
then preached in Middletown, Westfield Society, as sta- 
ted supply, nine months, and was then installed pastor 
of the same Society, where he remained, seventeen years. 
He came from Westfield to Wolcott, as stated supply, 
where he preached six years. Here he labored with suc- 
cess, though considerable of the time with poor health. 
The letter of commendation of him as their pastor, from 



REV. LENT S. HOUGH. 337 

Westfield to the church in Wolcott, is preserved, and is 
of the highest honor to him as a successful pastor and 
minister. While in Wolcott, there were considerable re- 
pairs done upon the Meeting house, and furnishing inside, 
which were creditable both to him and the people. From 
Wolcott he went to Salem sixteen months, and from Sa- 
lem to East Lyme, where he has labored with much suc- 
cess three years, and where he still resides, receiving the 
greatest kindness from his people, while deeply afflicted 
in his family. 

23 



CAPT. HEMAN HALL. 

Captain Heman Hall was the son of Lieutenant Heman 
Hall, the first of the name who settled in Wolcott, and 
was born in Wallingford, in the year 1750. His father 
purchased land in Wolcott as early as 1754, but removed 
hither some years after, and resided near the present, so- 
called, '' gamble-roofed house" on the road from Wclcott 
Centre to Marion. Captain Heman, it is thought, built 
this gamble-roofed house, and resided in it with his 
mother until 1800, when they exchanged this farm for 
the one then owned by Elnathan Thrasher, in Woodtick, 
where his grandson Orrin now resides. He married 
Rebecca Finch about the year 1770, by whom he had 
eight children, three of whom are recorded as being 
baptised at the same time, October 20th, 1776. 

He was entrusted with the military authority of 
"Ensign of the Ninth company or train-band, in the 
Fifteenth regiment in this State," on the 27th day of 
May, 1785, and subsequently was made captain of the 
same company, and has been known as Captain Heman 
Hall ever since. His son Heman was made corporal in 
1795, and sargeant in 1797. His son Levi has been des- 
ignated as Captain Levi, and is still so called. 

Captain Heman Hall was near relative to the Hon. 
Lyman Hall, of Georgia. This Lyman was the son of 
Hon. John Hall, and was graduated at Yale College in 
1747; studied medicine and located at Midway, Ga. 
Having earnestly espoused the cause of his country in 
the Revolution, his efforts contributed much to induce 



CAPT. HEMAN HALL. 339 

the people of Georgia to join the Confederacy. He was 
in May, 1775, elected to Congress, and as a member of 
which, he signed the Declaration of Independence, and 
continued in that body until the close of the year 1780. 
In 1783 he was elected Governor of Georgia. He died 
in February, 1791 , aged sixty-six. Captain Heman was 
a man of prominence and responsibility in Farmingbury 
Society from its first organization until his death in 1795, 
at the age of forty-five. 



EPHRAIM HALL. 

Ephraim Hall was the son of Sargent Heman, and 
grandson of Captain Heman, and great-grandson of 
Lieutenant Hall, the first of the name in Wolcott. He 
was born September 15th, 1799. In the autumn, when 
twenty-two years of age, he went to South Carolina to 
work on the Broad and Saluda rivers in constructing ca- 
nals and locks around the falls in those rivers. Early the 
next spring, an opportunity presenting itself, he engaged 
two or three months in peddling, traveling on foot. 
After this he spent six or seven winters in peddling in 
the Southern States, and working on a farm at the north 
during the summer. He first engaged in selling tin-ware 
for the Yale Brothers, of Wallingford, they having a 
depot in Richmond, Virginia, where their peddlers ob- 
tained their goods, transporting them through the 
country with a horse and wagon. He peddled by license, 
taking license for a county or two, and remaining all win- 
ter within the prescribed circuit. At first he found this 
business wearisome and discouraging, but when he be- 
came acquainted he fared well and did well in the busi- 
ness. He learned to fall in with the notions and preju- 
dices of the people, and let them talk as they pleased, 
and then everything went well. He usually paid for the 
privilege of staying over night, and sometimes traded to 
the amount of thirty dollars, sometimes forty, sometimes 
over a hundred. He would seldom go away without 
trading, for the people learned to expect him at a certain 
time, and prepare for his coming ; especially was this the 
case in the later years when he sold dry goods. 

For several summers he worked for Rev. Wm. Robin- 



EPHRAIM HALL. 341 

son, of Southington ; the good minister saying in the 
autumn when he closed work: "Well, Ephraim, when 
you get back in the spring, come over and see me, and if 
I am living I shall want you again to work for me." 

He married, September 9th, 1824, Mary Minor, daugh- 
ter of Archibald Minor, Esq., with whom he lived until 
her death, July 19th, 1870. He had .three children, only 
one of whom survives him. His .farm in Wolcott was 
that now owned by C. Frank Munson ; the large maple 
trees now standing by the roadside at that place he set 
there soon after he purchased the farm. This farm he 
gave to his grandson a few years since, and made his 
residence at Wolcott Center. 

When the anti-slavery cause began to move the public 
mind, Mr. Hall was found on the side of the oppressed, 
and calmly, but decidedly, he maintained their cause as 
long as he lived. In his anti-slavery sentiments, as in 
all other things, he was not violent, but calm and deci- 
ded, firm and true, at any cost. In 1839, ms horse, with 
those of a few other men, was sheared because of his 
anti-slavery principles ; and when the Meeting house was 
burned, through this excitement, and there seemed to be 
no prospect of peace in the old Society, he, with several 
others of the most reliable members of the church, with- 
drew, and formed a second Society. Through the high 
and honorable decision of the Consociation held on the 
subject, the rights of the church were guaranteed, and 
then the new Society dissolved and returned to help the 
old in building the new Meeting house, and in settling a 
pastor. 

His regular subscription to the American Missionary 
Society in behalf of the Freedmen has been, for several 
years, one hundred dollars a year, and in his will he left 
to that society the sum of fifteen hundred dollars. He 
was a true man to the church and humanity, and was 
greatly respected by the citizens of his native town. He 
died June 7th, 1874, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. 



DR. AMBROSE IVES. 

Dr. Ambrose Ives was the son of Abijah, and grandson 
of Abraham Ives, and was born in Wallingford, December 
20th, 1786. He studied medicine with Dr. Cornwall, of 
Cheshire, and settled in Wolcott about the year 1808, at 
which time Dr. Potter was enjoying a good degree of 
confidence from the people of the community. The 
young physician was regarded by some as intrusive in 
coming into the field where one physician could attend 
all the sick, and by others as a welcome friend, who 
might, possibly, be helpful in turning aside the death 
messenger. Dr. Ives identified himself with the interests 
of the community to such a degree, and gave such 
diligent attention to his profession, that he soon secured 
an extensive practice, and an important standing as a 
citizen. On the 30th day of March, 18 17, he married 
Wealthy Hopkins, daughter of Charles Upson, Esq., and 
thereafter continued his professional labors until 1827, 
when he removed to Wallingford to look after his 
deceased father's estate. Dr. Ives was celebrated in 
Wolcott for careful living, diligence in his profession, and 
not particularly enterprising in the town and local inter- 
ests. He identified himself with the Episcopal church 
and did good service therein. From Wallingford he 
removed to Plymouth, where he resumed his profession, 
and soon obtained a large practice. In 1834 he became 
interested in the manufacture of gilt buttons at Waterville 
and took charge of the business. In 1837 he removed his 
residence to Waterbury, and in 1839 so ^ ms interest at 



DR. AMBROSE IVES. 343 

Waterville and became a stock owner in the company of 
Brown & Elton, and continued in this connection until 
his decease. He died in Waterbury, January 31st, 1852, 
having accumulated quite a fortune. 

His wife, Wealthy H., survived him a few years, always 
manifesting much interest in the people of her native 
town, and made a present of a very choice Communion 
Set to the Congregational church a short time before 
her decease. 



REV. JOHN KEYS. 

Rev. John Keys was a Presbyterian minister, and came 
from the Albany Presbytery, State of New York, and 
hence of his early history we have no knowledge. He 
was settled in Wolcott in the days of its greatest pros- 
perity. The inhabitants numbered about eleven hun- 
dred. The old Meeting house was crowded with hearers, 
and among them were as fine a class of men and women, 
young people and children, as could be found in any rural 
congregation in the land. The money credit of the town of 
Wolcott is said to have been at this time as high as any 
town in the State. Its fame for schools and education 
was noted. The commercial business of the town rivaled 
that of Waterbury, Southington, and Bristol. The salary 
($500 and twenty-five cords of wood) was liberal for those 
days, and the circumstances under which he was intro- 
duced into his office and work were most favorable. The 
installation sermon, preached by Dr. Lyman Beecher, 
was sufficient to inspire a man and a congregation a life- 
time. The ceremonies of that installation were im- 
posing, and have been referred to by many out of Wol- 
cott, as well as in it. 

The council met at the house of Mr. Keys, a little 
east of the church, for examination. When the hour came 
for services at the church, the members of the council 
formed in procession, two by two, then the gentlemen 
and ladies of the choir, and following them, in the same 
manner, the members of the church, all walking to the 
church. Miss Abigail Hall, now (1873) residing in Meri- 



REV. JOHN KEYS. 345 

den, says, the Meeting house was full. The singers sat 
in the gallery, nearly filling the front seats on three 
sides. The ladies sang with their bonnets off in those 
days, — and they were bonnets, not hats. " Mr. Hender- 
son, who had been employed to teach a singing-school, 
took charge of the singing at the installation. The bass 
singers sat on the west side of the gallery, David Harri- 
son, with bass viol, in the center ; the tenor and counter 
on south side, and Stephen Harrison, with tenor viol, in 
the center; first treble on east side, and Doct. Harvey 
Norton, with violin, in the center." Such was the choir 
in 1 8 14, and such were the encouraging facts around Mr. 
Keys as a minister. He was a laborious, diligent, good 
man, careful of all, and a true man. All those who re- 
member him speak kindly of him, without a word of re- 
proach. Eight years he toiled for this people, as though 
the\- were his own children, and when the separation 
came it was a heavy trial to him. His letter to the 
church is the saddest of the kind I have ever read. 
He commences that letter with the following- words : 
" The painful hour seems now arrived, in the sovereign 
dispensations of Providence, when we must part." He 
was endeared to many young men who had attended his 
school, by influences arising in such labor, which are not 
easily severed, and can never be forgotten. He closed 
his labors in December, 1S22, at a time of the year 
when a church should hesitate to dismiss a faithful ser- 
vant. Without house, or home, or work, with a large 
family, in the dead of winter, is rather a sad picture con- 
cerning one who gave up all secular pursuits to preach 
the gospel ! 

Mr. Keys moved to Ohio, and other western States, 
where he resided forty-six years, and died at Dover, 
Ohio, in 1868, aged eighty-six. His wife, Mary, died at 
Peoria, Illinois, in 1850, aged sixty-six. Their children 
were Mary O. (Kingsbury), now living in Toledo, Ohio ; 
John A., now living in Visalia, California ; William M., 



346 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

now living in Saltillo, Nebraska ; Richard M., now living 
in California ; David C, died in 1867, in Oakland, Cali- 
fornia ; Catharine S. (Moore), living in Dover, Ohio ; 
Lucy H. (Abbott), living in Cleveland, Ohio ; Charles F., 
died in 1837, in Alabama ; Luther H., living in Greeley, 
Iowa. This record dates in 1873. 



SIMEON H. NORTON. 

Simeon H. Norton, son of Simeon N., and great-grand- 
son of David Norton, was born in Wolcott, August iith, 
1 8 1 3. He began attendance in the district school at the 
Center, when but two years and nine months old, and 
continued to attend the same until twelve years of age, 
during which time he acquired, besides the regular studies 
of the school in that day, some knowledge of geography, 
arithmetic, and English grammar. At the age of thirteen 
he engaged in a manufactory in Meriden, Conn., where 
he continued two years, at which time, being at the age 
of fifteen, he accepted an invitation to teach the north 
district school of his native town, one term, in which 
being quite successful, he accepted an invitation to teach 
the north-east school the following summer and winter 
terms ; and while engaged in teaching he was pursuing 
a course of study preparatory to the teaching of a high 
school, the accomplishment of which was of great con- 
sideration in his own mind. In order to perfect this de- 
sire, he attended the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, 
where he became an Episcopalian. At the age of nine- 
teen he engaged as teacher in the largest district school 
in Bristol, where he continued teaching, summer and 
winter, three years, — at the same time teaching singing 
school in the winter season, and taking charge of the 
choir of the Episcopal church. During his last term in 
Bristol he wrote to Dr. William A. Alcott, then in Bos- 
ton, to assist him in obtaining the place of assistant in 
some high school in that city, to which the Doctor re- 



348 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

sponded cordially, expressing great pleasure in the aspi- 
rations of the young men of Wolcott. Before any ar- 
rangement of this kind could be made, Mr. Norton was 
urgently requested to engage as clerk in the store of 
Messrs. Benham and Tuttle, in Wolcott, which invitation 
he accepted, and notified his friend the doctor, in Bos- 
ton, accordingly. He was in the store at Wolcott one 
year, and during that time served as acting school-visitor 
for the town, that being the first office he ever held by 
the votes of the people. From Wolcott he went to Bris- 
tol, and engaged as clerk in a store in the same portion 
of the town where he had taught school, and where he 
accepted his old place in the Episcopal choir. At the 
end of four years he left Bristol, and entered, as clerk, the 
store of Messrs. H. M. Welch & Co., in Plainville, the 
largest store at that time in that part of the country, and 
continued there about four years, during which time, there 
being no Episcopal church in the place, he attended 
regularly the Congregational church, and served, by invi- 
tation, as leader of the choir during the time of his resi- 
dence there. 

In the spring of 1843, ne was urged to go into partner- 
ship with an old merchant at Plymouth, which offer he 
declined, but engaged with him as clerk in the store. 
Not being well pleased with the business of selling liquors 
as connected with this store, he left as soon as the time 
of his engagement expired, and, collecting all his capital, 
located himself in a store at a place now known as 
Hitchcock's Station, in Southington, where he remained 
three years, and then removed to Plantsville, where he 
still resides. He engaged in this place as a merchant, 
keeping a temperance store, until 1869, when, having 
been quite successful in business, he retired from the 
same, to pass the remaining years in quietness and rest. 

While in his store, he held the office of postmaster fif- 
teen years, from 1853, and has since received a good 
share of honor in various offices in the town, — standing 



SIMEON H. NORTON. 349 

several years as first selectman, going once to the legis- 
lature, and has been for several years, and is now, a jus- 
tice of the peace. He has been called on to serve as ad- 
ministrator of estates, drawing deeds and wills, and other 
like documents, to a large extent, and continues to re- 
ceive a high degree of confidence from his fellow-citizens. 

When twenty-three years of age he married Sarah 
Ann, daughter of Capt. Levi Hall, of Wolcott. with 
whom he spent thirty-five years of happy wedded life, 
until her death, in 1872. Of his wife's Christian life and 
death he speaks in the highest terms. 

In politics, Mr. Norton has been a Democrat, though 
not a strong partizan, and at the breaking out of the late 
war, he took the ground that the rebels, having taken up 
arms against the government, should be put down by 
force of arms, and sustained the efforts of the United 
States for the accomplishment of that end. His only 
son, twenty-one years of age, enlisted, and fell at his 
post, May 3d, 1863, in the terrible battle of Chancellors- 
ville, where several of his Wolcott friends also fell. 



DR. JOHN POTTER. 

Dr. John Potter came to Wolcott and established him- 
self as a physician about the year 1780, and was trusted 
and respected many years as a physician and citizen. 
He was active in the Ecclesiastical Society, and sustained 
a large share of the responsibilities of the offices of the 
same ; and so far as the records show, or the friends re- 
member, he acquitted himself in all things as a faithful 
man in his profession, and a worthy citizen. He mar- 
ried Lydia, the daughter of Deacon Aaron Harrison, 
than which family there was none more honorable in t he 
community. 

His children grew up around him in honorable, and 
active employments, but when the glory of Wolcott began 
to decline, they removed west, and last of all, the Doctor 
went, also, saying he went "west to die, not to live," for 
his days were nearly run. He was of the progressive 
kind of physicians, for when it was noised abroad that 
inoculation by kine-pox would secure the community 
from the dreadful ravages of small-pox, he at once pe- 
titioned the town for the privilege of introducing the 
practice of vaccination. His children and family are very 
kindly remembered by some of the older people of the 
town at the present time. 

350 



REV. NATHAN SHAW. 

Rev. Nathan Shaw, son of Solomon and Betsy (Dil- 
ingham) Shaw, was born in Abington, Mass., June 3d, 
1788. In 1796 his father removed to Cummington, Mass., 
where, under the instruction of Rev. James Briggs he 
prepared for college. He studied theology one year at 
Andover Theological Seminary, and with Rev. Alvan 
Hyde, D. D., of Lee, Mass. Having performed, for a 
year, missionary labor in Berkshire County, Mass., he was 
ordained, in 1820, over the Congregational church in 
West Stockbridge, Mass. In 1826 he was settled over, 
or served the church as stated supply, in Curtisville, 
Stockbridge, Mass. He subsequently supplied various 
churches in Massachusetts and Connecticut. In 1831, on 
the fourth of July, the Society in Wolcott voted to hire 
him four months, and before that time expired they voted 
to hire him one year. The probability is that he preached 
here nine or ten months only. After leaving Wolcott 
he was engaged among the Osage Indians, under the 
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 
He died in 1865. 

35i 



SETH THOMAS. 

Seth Thomas was the son of James Thomas, who 
married Maria Ward, of West Haven or Orange, Conn., 
and removed to Wolcott. James came from Scotland to 
this country. Seth Thomas is said to have been born in 
Wolcott, where he lived until about the year 1810. He 
was a man of few words, but of great energy and perse- 
verance in any employment in which he engaged. His 
father was a cooper, but he turned somewhat naturally 
to the trade of a carpenter, in connection with which, 
probably, he obtained some knowledge of mill property 
and manufacturing interests. He was apprenticed to 
Mr. Daniel Tuttle, of Plymouth, and in consequence of 
his quiet attention to his duties, and want of boyish 
vanities, he was called, by some of the wild lads of 
Wolcott, "Daniel Tuttle's fool." As in many cases, so 
in this — history shows who are wise and who are fools. 

Mr. Thomas engaged in the manufacture of clocks in 
the firm of Terry, Thomas & Hoadley, at Hoadleyville, in 
about the year 1810, where he continued three years. 
It is said that previous to this engagement he made an 
offer for the purchase of the mill property of Mr. Daniel 
Byington, at Wolcott, and desired the town to open a 
road direct to Cheshire for the export of goods that 
might be manufactured by him. But the spirit of enter- 
prise had not come upon the people of Wolcott, and Mr. 
Thomas being discouraged as to the location, went to 
Hoadleyville and thence to Plymouth Hollow, now 
Thomaston. It is possible that this proposition to come 



SETH THOMAS. 353 

to Wolcott was made just before going to Thomaston. 
Had he received suitable encouragement, the enterprising 
village of Thomaston might have been in Wolcott instead 
of Plymouth, for the water power in Wolcott is pro- 
nounced by competent judges to be superior to that of 
Thomaston. About the year 18 13, Mr. Thomas pur- 
chased some property of Mr. Heman Clark, in Plymouth 
Hollow, containing a small manufactory of some kind, 
and here commenced, on his individual responsibility, 
the making of clocks. In this business he had great 
success; and about 1830, he built a cotton manufactory, 
which, after some years, was reconstructed into the 
clock making business. Such was the prosperity of his 
enterprises that about t 1850 a joint stock company was 
formed, which resulted in the enlargement of the business, 
so as to establish depots for the sale of goods in different 
parts of the world. The present capital stock in use is 
half a million of dollars. The branch depots are located 
in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and London. 
Thomaston now numbers two thousand inhabitants, 
and is an enterprising, thriving village. Such has Wol- 
cott lost, and such has Plymouth gained, and such are 
the results of the energy of one man. 

24 



REV. BENONI UPSON, D. D. 

Dr. Benoni Upson was born in " Farmington Part" of 
what is now Wolcott, Conn., February 14th, 1750. His 
father was Thomas Upson, who resided one mile north 
of the Meeting" house in Wolcott. His mother was 
Hannah Hopkins, of Waterbury, sister of the celebrated 
Dr. Samuel Hopkins, of Newport, R. I. He graduated at 
Yale College in 1776, and was ordained pastor of the 
church in Kensington April 21st, 1779. August, 1778, 
he was married to Livia Hopkins, daughter of Joseph 
Hopkins, Esq., of Waterbury. Their children were eight, 
viz : Gustavus, Laura, Henry, Livia, Laura, Sophia, Sally, 
William. Of these but one was living in 1863. Dr. 
Upson was for fourteen years fellow of Yale College, 
from which in 18 17 he received the honorary degree of 
Doctor of Divinity. 

Rev. Royal Robbins in his notes upon the history of 
the church in Kensington, as given in " Contributions to 
the Ecclesiastical History of Connecticut," p. 412, speaks 
of him as a "wise and benevolent man, a lover of peace, 
and a peacemaker, and distinguished, with his family, for 
hospitality. In the sermon preached by Mr. Robbins at 
the funeral of Dr. Upson, he describes him as "in social 
intercourse highly agreeable, — courteous and attentive 
to all, his address at once dignified and easy, agreeable 
and cheerful in his feelings, companionable and concili- 
ating, tender and gentle." He says, also, that he was 
"a valuable friend and counsellor; in his intellectual 
character, possessing a clear understanding and ready 
wit ; a man of information and of great native sagacity, 



REV. BENONI UPSON, D. D. 355 

admirably acquainted with human nature, and cau- 
tious and wary, prudent and discreet." 

Rev. Mr. Hillard, in a letter, speaks of him as "a most 
accomplished gentleman. He was regular in his attend- 
ance upon the ministry and ordinances of religion, after 
as well as before giving up his ministerial labors, — being 
for several of the last years of his life the oldest man 
usually seen in the congregation. He was buried in the 
East burying ground, Kensington. The inscription on 
his monument is as follows : " Rev. Benoni Upson, D. 
D., native of Waterbury, Conn.; Graduate and Fellow of 
Yale College ; Pastor of the Church of Christ in Berlin ; 
Ordained April 21, 1779; Died Nov. 13, 1826, aged 76 
years." 



REV. HENRY E. L. UPSON. 

Rev. Henry E. L. Upson was born in Wolcott, May 2 1, 
1 83 1, and was a twin brother to Harriet Arabella Frances 
Upson. He was baptized by the name of Henry Eugene 
Loomis, and was the son of Thomas and Jerusha Upson, 
and grandson of Esquire Charles and Mary (Moulthrop) 
Upson. His early school days were spent at the Centre 
District school of Wolcott. of which he gave some 
reminiscenses at the Centenary meeting. He was fitted 
for college at Lewis Academy, in Southington, and 
entered Yale college in 1855, from which he graduated 
with honors in 1859. He was one year in the Andover 
Theological Seminary, and two years, nearly, in Yale 
Theological Seminary, at New Haven. While in the 
Seminary at New Haven he was appointed, August 
7, 1862, chaplain of the Thirteenth Regiment of Con- 
necticut Volunteers, by Governor Buckingham, and was 
ordained June 22d, and joined his regiment in New 
Orleans, where he remained to the fall of Fort Hudson. 
He distinguished himself by gallant conduct on several 
occasions, and received special commendation from his 
superior officers for efficient efforts for the physical com- 
fort of the soldiers, while earnestly exercising his office 
as a minister among them. 

He resigned his chaplaincy and left the service of the 
United States August 7, 1863, to become the pastor of 
the Congregational church in New Preston, Conn., where 
he was installed September 23, 1863, in which place his 
labors have been ordinarily successful, and where he still 
continues to preach. 



REV. HENRY E. L. UPSON. 357 

He married Miss Abbie A. Piatt, daughter of Prof. 
Merritt and Abigail (Merwin) Piatt, of Milford, Conn., 
October 13, 1863. He is the only Upson, descended from 
Wolcott, who is now in the ministry, so far as we know. 
Dr. Benoni Upson was great-uncle to Henry, and spent 
a long and successful life in the ministry. Rev. A. J. 
Upson, D. D., of Albany, N. Y., professor in Union 
College, being a descendant of the Waterbury Upsons, 
and of the same original family with the Wolcott Upsons. 



REV. ISRAEL B. WOODWARD. 

Rev. Israel Beard Woodward was born in Watertown, 
Conn., December 4th, 1767. He was the son of Israel 
and Abigail (Stoddard) Woodward, and great-grandson, 
on his mother's side, of Rev. Anthony Stoddard, the set- 
tled Congregational minister of Woodbury, Conn., for 
sixty years. He was graduated at Yale College in 1789, 
at the age of twenty-two, and was ordained pastor of the 
church in Wolcott in June, 1792. From the time of 
graduation to his settlement, he had three years for theo- 
logical studies, but where he pursued these, or whether 
he did or not, regularly, we have not learned ; but we 
have no doubt that one of his cast of mind would avail 
himself of such advantageous preparation for so great 
a work. From the first the majority of the people of 
Wolcott were greatly pleased with Mr. Woodward, for 
his style of preaching was quite the opposite of his pre- 
decessor, Mr. Gillet. Mr. Gillet never indulged in re- 
marks that would create a smile, but Mr. Woodward was 
a man of cheerful spirit, and his natural turn of mind 
would make a pleasing reply or remark, in little matters 
in conversation, which was relieving and agreeable to 
most persons, and the aptness and appropriateness of his 
illustrations in the pulpit would sometimes create a smile 
in the audience ; yet he was sedate and quite serious, and 
this sharpness of perception and application of truth in 
a cheerful way made him an acceptable preacher to most 
persons. It was, I apprehend, the pleasant witicisms of 
ordinary times, turned into sarcasms in the exciting politi- 



REV. ISRAEL B. WOODWARD. 359 

cal times of Mr. Thomas Jefferson, that offended some of 
Mr. Woodward's parishioners who withdrew from the 
support of the church at that time ; and yet there are 
indications that Mr. Woodward's most earnest church 
members, who became very zealous in politics, influenced 
more persons to leave the Society than he did ; for they 
declared their belief, that if Mr. Jefferson was elected 
president, the religious liberties of this country would 
be at once annulled, and persecution would reign instead ; 
and there are those living now who have heard their 
fathers repeat these sayings as given by Mr. Woodward's 
strongest church members. There can be no doubt of 
the honesty and uprightness of these men who opposed 
Jefferson, for Jefferson was commonly reported an infidel, 
and infidelity was a great enemy and persecutor of the 
Christian church in the sixteenth and seventeenth centu- 
ries, both in England and in America. And the po- 
litical excitements immediately following the revolution 
were nearly as effective on the minds of the people as 
was the revolution itself, and Wolcott, which had suffered 
severely in the loss of its men in the war, could not for- 
get how dearly it had bought Freedom. And had not 
Mr. Woodward endeared himself to the people by dignity 
of character, and a cultivated mind, and also by a hearty 
sympathy with them in all their trials and privations, 
the loss of support to the church would doubtless have 
been far greater than it was. Mr. Woodward was the 
strong band of union in those days, though the people 
knew it not ; yet he could not maintain his position 
without saying something on the political questions of 
the day, — for a large majority of the people were Feder- 
alists, and opposed to Mr. Jefferson's politics. And this 
may have been the reason why he sent to the Society's 
annual meeting in November, 1800, a proposition to be 
dismissed. He may have found it so hard to harmonize 
the conflicting elements, that he was greatly discour- 
aged, and preferred to be relieved from the distressing 



360 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

situation. When he requested to be dismissed, the parish 
meeting voted a committee to go to him and " inform 
him that the Society, for various reasons, wish not to act 
upon the proposition by him made as to a dismission ; 
particularly as they are well pleased with his perform- 
ances as their minister, and are by no means willing for 
a dissolution of the pastoral connection between him and 
them." These words, "by no means," tell no more than 
the truth for the men of the Society. 

One of the present parishioners relates that he has 
heard his mother sa3 r , many times, that Mr. Woodward 
was the best man she ever knew. Mrs. Woodward is said 
to have been a kind and noble woman, much esteemed by 
the people. A colored girl was employed in the family. 
A short time after Mr. Woodward's death she became 
displeased at some request of her mistress, and retorted by 
saying, " I wish you had died instead of Mr. Woodward." 
This girl, living in New Haven some five years since, told 
fhe fact to a person who was at the late Centenary meet- 
ing, and as she told it she repeated the good qualities of 
her late master with much interest and feeling. Yet such a 
man and minister, so kind-hearted, sympathetic and feel- 
ing in religious life, and in regard to the sorrows bf men, 
was, in the common expression used, "full of his jokes." 
The old superstition that a Christian should never laugh, 
is one of the darkest errors of the Roman Catholic 
Church, and found no countenance in the life of this good 
man. 

SOME OF MR. WOODWARD'S JOKES. 

A man with a pig under his arm passing Mr. Woodward's 
house one morning, saw Mr. Woodward in the yard, and ad- 
dressed him with "Good-morning." Mr. Woodward's ready re- 
ply was : " Good-morning, gentlemen, both of you." 

It was customary in those days for minister and people, all, to 
use intoxicating drinks, and Mr. Woodward and his church mem- 
bers kept up this custom, not discerning the fearful consequences 
of such a practice. On one occasion Mr. Woodward sent his 



REV. ISRAEL B. WOODWARD. 361 

work boy to the store for a bottle of whisky. The boy returned 
with the bottle, when Mr. Woodward asked him what kind of 
liquor he had brought. He replied the store keeper said it was 
whisky. "Have you not tasted it?" said Mr. W. "No," said 
the boy. "Then," said Mr. W., "you shall have none of it, to 
pay you for not tasting it." 

The next time he sent him on a like errand he asked him the 
same question, — "What have you?" "Rum," said the boy. 
"How do you know?" "I drank some, and treated the company 
at the store," — and the half empty bottle indicated that the com- 
pany was rather numerous. 

Mr. Woodward being so ready at repartee, the people learned 
to reply to him in the same way, and were much pleased when 
they could catch him with a pleasant word. He hired a man to 
Avork for him, and the man came to engage in the work about 
ten o'clock in the morning. Mr. Woodward said : " Rather late. 

Mr. H , to begin a day's work." Mr. H. replied: "It is 

about the time you usually begin work for me," referring to Mr. 
Woodward's preaching on Sabbath. 

He was very fond of children, taking them on his knee 
and kissing them. There is a woman now in the parish 
whose mother, when a little girl, hid from Mr. Woodward 
many times, when he came to her father's home, so as 
not to be kissed. 

The students in his school enjoyed his pleasant ways 
very much, and hence they came to look upon him as a 
father, as well as a teacher, and the tenderness with 
which the poet, Mr. Maxwell, speaks of him is seldom 
equaled. Mr. Woodward wore a cue in the old style on 
the back part of his head. One Sabbath this cue was left 
at home and observed by the students. Mr. Woodward's 
little dog, that would follow him anywhere, if allowed, 
was at home ; the students put the cue or " switch of 
hair" on the dog's head, and let him out the door. The 
dog went direct to church, mounted the pulpit stairs, in 
presence of the audience, sat down at the pulpit door, 
facing the audience, and there remained until the bene- 



362 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

diction. The children of the audience, big and little, had 
hard work to keep sober faces during that service. Not- 
withstanding the pleasant witicisms and cheerful manner 
of life of Mr. Woodward, he is said to have been a man of 
much dignity of character, and highly respected in his 
parish and by all who knew him in neighboring parishes. 

Of his students no list can be obtained, and but few 
persons now living remember the names of any of them. 
Mr. Stephen Upson, of Waterbury, who became one of 
the most celebrated lawyers of the State of Georgia, 
"pursued his classical studies for a time with Mr. Wood- 
ward." 

Mr. J. G. Percival,* the poet of considerable celebrity, 
pursued his studies, for a time, with Mr. Woodward. A 
Mr. Peck, from New Haven, was here, and cut the initials 
of his name and the date on Mr. Woodward's " door- 
stone," in 1803, where they still remain. 

Mr. William Maxwell, of Virginia, attended school at 
Mr. Woodward's, and on hearing of his death, composed 
an elegy of great pathos and beauty, on Wolcott and 
Mr. Woodward. This poem was read at the late Centenary 
meeting, and might properly be placed as one of the 
papers of that occasion, but I place it in connection with 
Mr. Woodward's name because of its beautiful memorial 
character, and the appropriate honor it does his memory. 

This poem is secured by the very great favor of the 

* James Gates Percival, the poet, was born in Berlin, near Hartford, 
Conn., on the 15th of September, 1795. He entered Yale College, when 
fifteen years of age, and graduated in 1S15, with the reputation of being 
the first scholar of his class. He received the degree of Doctor of Medicine 
from Yale Medical school, in 1820. He published several volumes of 
poems and miscellaneous prose writings. He was appointed assistant sur- 
geon in the U. S. army, in iS2-i,'and acted as professor of chemistry in the 
Military Academy at West Point. This position he resigned, and for two 
years subsequently he superintended the printing of the first quarto-edition 
of Dr. Webster's American Dictionary. Few men possessed higher poetical 
qualities than Percival. He died in 1856. See National Fifth Reader, 
p. 23S. 



REV. [SKAEL B. WOODWARD. 363 

Hon. L. W. Cutler and Judge Curtiss, of Watertown, 
Conn. 

Mr. Woodward owned land in several parts of the town 
besides his home at the Centre. He owned a consider- 
able part of a distillery that was constructed in the old mill 
where Mr. Ira Hough ground bark for tanning purposes; 
but very little is known of this distillery, except the fact 
of its short existence. 

Mr. Woodward belonged to the militia of the county 
in some office, probably that of chaplain, and the follow- 
ing letter explains itself somewhat, while it furnishes 
some characteristics of the man.* 

Wolcott, Sept. 7, 1803. 
Mr. Staxi.fa : 

I send you by the bearer, Mr. Lucius Tuttle, my old beaver. 
1 want you to display upon it a little military skill. I have no 
use for it except on brigade or regimental reviews. That old 
despot, Poverty, sternly forbids me to lay out ten or twelve dollars 
for a hat to be used but once a year. 

Now, sir, I am little acquainted with the mechanical operation 
of furs, nevertheless, I will presume to give you my ideas. The 
hat you will find torn about one inch and a half directly in front, 
and a small breach made on the left wing. I have supposed that 
a surgical operation need first be performed, and perhaps a piece 
taken out in front, which would make the angle more obtuse and 
in less danger of pricking people on public occasions. It is my 
wish, not to have my hat drawn directly perpendicular in front, 
nor to have the point of the cock sunk to a horizontal direction. 
ending in abstract sharpness. But I wish it to incline about 
thirty degrees from a perpendicular, and terminate half way 
between the form of a cap-a-pie military hat and what its name is. 
To speak in plain English. I want it made decent for a chaplain, 
remote from either extreme. 

As to the looping, binding, or trimming the hat, you will act 
your own judgment, and indeed, in all you do to it. All I would 

*The letter in Mr. Woodward's own hand writing is -till in the pos 
sion of Mrs. Mark Tuttle, of Wolcott. 



364 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

do, is to express my wishes, believing you will wish to gratify 
them. It doubtless wants a thorough dressing, and if you can do 
it so as to make the hat answer, I should be glad you would 
undertake it, if not, to return it by the bearer. 

I should be glad to have it done so that I might obtain it within 
fifteen or sixteen days. By complying with the above request, 
you will much oblige me, and shall receive a just compensation. 

From, sir, your humble servant, 
Mr. W. Stanley. Israel B. Woodward. 

The address on the outside of the letter is, 

MR. WHITING STANLEY, 
Hatter, 

Cheshire. 

Mr. Woodward married about the time of his settle- 
ment, "Sally," the daughter of the Rev. John Smalley, 
D. D., of New Britain, Conn., an accomplished woman, 
of whom we hear no complaints, and who survived her 
husband some years, and on whom the parishioners of 
Wolcott used to call with pleasure, years after she left 
Wolcott, and while she lived in New Haven or East 
Haven. 

In the summer and fall of 18 10 the typhoid fever pre- 
vailed fearfully in Wolcott, beginning in the family of 
Mark Harrison, Esq. The disease was so uncontrolable 
by the physicians that the people of the community 
feared to go near a house where it prevailed. Mr. 
Woodward, true to his pastoral relations and his natural 
kindness of heart, visited the sick and bereaved, admin- 
istering comfort as best he could in such a trying time. 
As a consequence, the fever "set in," and on the 17th of 
September, 18 10, he closed his labors and sufferings on 
earth, and entered the, to us, great unrealized future. 
He was forty-three years of age, and left no family 
besides his wife. 

His death made a great vacancy in the community, 



REV. ISRAEL B. WOODWARD. 365 

nearly or quite all lamenting him as their great and true 
friend, and feeling that his place could not easily be filled 
in the sacred office of minister and pastor. 

WOLCOTT.* AN ELEGY. 

In these green shades where soft Eliza f flows 
To soothe her own dear poet in his woes ; 
While ev'ning gales from yonder willows breathe 
The balmy sighs that dying flow'rs bequeath, 
Thus let me rove, forgotten and alone. 
To muse on sorrows that are all my own. 
Alas ! the guardian of my early days, 
The fond inspirer of my tuneful lays, 
Long cherished object of my filial love, — 
My Woodward leaves me for the realms above ! 
And I am left, thro' long succeeding years, 
To mourn my loss with unavailing tears. 
Then come, sweet muse, resume the lyre again, 
And teach my heart a sad lamenting strain • 
Some soothing air to whisper soft relief, — 
At once indulge, and tranquilize my grief. 
And thou, sad memory, to sorrow true, 
Restore the scenes my happy childhood knew ; 
Those faded scenes thou only canst restore, 
Now past forever, and beloved the more. 
High on a mountain all unknown to Fame, 
Tho' grae'd with Wolcott's venerable name, 
The village bloom'd in her serene retreat, 
And smil'd to see the clouds beneath her feet. 
Such scenes of old the saintly hermit sought, — 
Retreat for Penitence, and pious Thought; 
Where Faith might love to breathe a parting sigh, 

* Here the author, William Maxwell, Esq., lived for some time, when a 
boy, under the care of the Rev. Israel B. Woodward, pastor of the place, 
pursuing his preparatory studies for admission into Yale College. The 
death of that gentleman, communicated in the letter of a friend, first sug- 
gested the idea of this poem. 

I Elizabeth river, Virginia. 



366 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

And hope a shorter passage to the sky. 

Mild were the virtues of the village train, 

The rural virgin, and the faithful swain ; 

Hid from the world, unconscious of its arts, 

While Peace and Innocence possessed their hearts. 

Virtue beheld them with approving eye, 

And vice confessed her homage by her sigh. 

There Woodward reign'd the genius of the place, 

The friend and guardian of the simple race. 

And well the pastor led his little flock, 

Thro' peaceful meadows to the gushing Rock ; 

Himself before, lest they should go astray, 

His only care to help them on their way, — 

Fulfill his office, and approve his love 

To the great Shepherd of the fold above. 

'Twas on a hill just rescued from the wood. 
The Preacher's hospitable mansion stood, 
Where oft the taper, with inviting ray, 
Allur'd the stranger from his weary way, 
And oft the cheerful table spread its best 
To win the smile of some unbidden guest. 
Beside the fence bloom'd many a graceful vine, 
The blushing rose, and sweeter eglantine ; 
Before the door, the green sward, trim and gay, 
Entic'd the lamb and little child to play. 
Spring set her flow'rs, too beautiful to last, 
And Winter nipp'd them with unwilling blast. 

Here, led by Heav'n. a happy child I grew, 
Fresh as the wild rose in the morning dew ; 
The bird that carol'd on the hawthorn by, 
Less gay, and scarce more volatile than I. 
Then oft the groves and solitudes around 
Bore witness to my lyre's unskillful sound ; 
So soon I felt the darling passion strong, 
And lisp'd the feelings of my heart in song. 
I knew the merry mock bird's fav'rite tree, 
And dear enough his wildwood notes to me ; 



REV. ISRAEL B. WOODWARD. 367 

I aim'd no death against the robin's breast. 

The sparrow twitter'd fearless on her nest : 

Young as I was, a visionary boy, 

I felt a sympathy with Nature's joy ; 

And Woodward, happy as myself the while, 

Look'd on, and owned my pleasure with a smile. 

Not his the brow of dark, forbidding frown ; 

With graceful ease his spirit would come down 

To share my childhood's inoffensive play. 

With useful freedom, profitably gay; 

Pleased from his graver studies to unbend, 

And lose awhile the master in the friend ; 

To win and guide me still his constant view, 

At once my teacher and my playmate too. 

Thus, all unknown the anxious cares of man, 

How fair the morning of my life began ! 

My head unburdened with Ambition's schemes, 

Light all my slumbers, innocent my dreams ; 

Too sweet the scenes my playful fancy drew, 

And Hope half whisper'd, "You may find them true." 

Stay, rude Experience, hear my pleading sigh, 

Nor bid these visions of Remembrance fly. 

Why wake the dreamer from his smiling sleep? 

Why wake the dreamer to be wise and weep? 

Each season then in her successive reign, 

Brought some peculiar blessing in her train. 

' Twas sweet when Spring renew'd the faded scene, 

And dress'd the landscape in her cheerful green; 

When little birds on ev'ry conscious tree, 

Renew'd their songs of simple melody ; 

And many a tender, many a merry lay, 

All sweet, came mingled from the budding spray : 

All sweet, but sweeter sung the happy swain, 

While smiling Beauty listen'd to his strain. 

Next Summer came with soft luxurious sweets, 
And lur'd our footsteps to her green retreats. 
Now sweet to ramble thro' those waving trees, 



368 HISTORY OF WQLCOTT. 

And breathe the fragrance of the ev'ning's breeze ! 

The moon looks down with chaste and tender beam, 

And smiles to see her image in the stream. 

In silent joy we gaze upon the sky, 

Till the sweet pleasure melts into a sigh. 

Or let me pause upon the mountain's brow 

(Where oft the Muses listen to my vow), 

And view with eyes that fondly overflow, 

The various beauties of the scene below — 

Lawns, mountains, villages, in fair display, 

All soften'd by the sun's descending ray. 

Thy steeple, Southington, that high in air, 

Invites the rustic to the house of pray'r : 

And spread around it, many a smiling plain, 

Waving with harvests of the golden grain. 

The farmer's mansion, fair in modest pride, 

With barns of plenty rising at its side ; 

Bright running streams that shine between the hills. 

While fancy hears the music of their rills ; 

And, far retreating into fading blue, 

Old Carmel mountain closing in the view. 

O lovely scenes so dear to me before ! 

O lovely scenes that 1 shall see no more ! 

Still may thy wilds bloom ever undecay'd, 

A grateful shelter to the mountain maid ! 

Still may thy charms in all their beauty shine ! 

For other eyes — but never more for mine. 

And now, with all his shining honors crown'd, 
Rich Autumn strews his treasures all around — 
And sweet it is to snuff the swelling gale, 
That steals its fragrance from yon 'bending vale, 
Where lusty Labor makes his toil a play, 
And smiling bears his yellow spoils away : 
Or here I wander o'er the custom'd hill, 
Where lovely Nature smiles to see me still. 
Viewing the foliage of her lively trees, 
That gayly rustle in the passing breeze ; 
Too vain to gratify admiring eyes 



REV. ISRAEL B. WOODWARD. 369 

With all the fancy of their various dyes — 
Ah ! soon to vanish, when the falling leaf 
Suggests its moral to the heart of grief. 

Last, Winter comes with all his dear delights, 

His cheerful days, and still more cheerful nights ; 

His songs and pastimes that can never tire, 

And charming tales around the sparkling fire; 

While storms without, tho' terrible their din, 

Endear the silence of the calm within. 

The sun has set behind yon dusky trees ; 

Shut close the door upon the whistling breeze, 

Now heap the fire, and trim the cheerful light, 

To welcome in the pleasures of the night ; 

While Phebe carols to her humming wheel, 

Or little Mary turns the winding reel, 

Perhaps the merry doctor sings his song, 

Or tells a story to the list'ning throng ; 

While Woodward, still with gay, good natured mirth. 

As playful as the kitten on the hearth, 

Improves the joy with charms that never fail, 

And draws a moral from each harmless tale. 

Shut close the door, — winds whistle as ye will, — 

The storm may come, but we'll be happy still. 

So passed the joys that charm'd my early youth, — 
Dear fleeting joys of innocence and truth ; 
As roses die upon the summer wind, 
And leave a sad sweet memory behind. 

Fair was the scene, when Sunday's smiling day 

Call'd the good villagers to praise and pray ; 

When up the hill in order they repair, 

To join their pastor in the house of prayer : 

The sober matron, in her russet best, 

Her little infant smiling at her breast; 

The blooming maid. — her eyes are raised above, — 

Her bosom sighs, — but not with earthly love ; 

The swain, unconscious of his resting plow, 

25 



370 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

And free to seek a nobler service now. 
Forget alike their labors and their sports; 
They meet their Maker in his earthly courts. 
Away with earth ! I see the Preacher rise ! 
And hark ! he speaks ! a message from the skies ! 
No poor ambition, void of grace and sense. 
Betrays his tongue to gaudy eloquence ; 
He scorns the tricks of vain theatric art, 
That catch the eye, but cannot cheat the heart. 
Warm, but yet prudent, is his temper'd zeal ; 
He feels himself, and makes his hearers feel. * 
How sweet the accents of that silver tongue, 
That wins the old, and fascinates the young ! 
The scoffer hears at last, and, undeceiv'd, 
Wonders to find how much he had believ'd. 
Ev'n children listen to the simple style. 
And half divine the doctrine by his smile. 

Where yonder locust overhangs the stream, 
And contemplation loves to sit and dream ; 
Those parting trees the village school disclose. 
Where little children, rang'd in shining rows. 
Whisper their tasks as busy as you please, 
And murmurs rise, like hum of hiving bees ; 
All trim and shining in their best attire, 
They wait with awe the coming of the Squire ; 
But Woodward most their beating hearts attend,— 
Well known by all to be their dearest friend. 
This quarter day they feel resolved to shew 
Quite all they know, and something over too. 
And see, he comes ! the whisper flies around : 
Now all is still, and silence rules the ground. 
On him alone their eyes intently gaze, 
And little bosoms tremble for his praise ; 
For he shall mark where bashful merit lies, 
Tho' half conceal'd by modesty's disguise, 
And crown the petty candidate for fame, 
Who lifts an artless blessing on his name. 
And soon the tale thro' all the village flies, 



REV. ISRAEL B. WOODWARD. 37 1 

How little Reuben won the letter' d prize. 
The mother, too, with fond and simple joy, 
Tells how the Pastor call'd her son "good boy," 
And how he said — she never can forget — 
" He'll be a man before his mother yet." 
O tender scenes of innocent delight ! 
But ah ! no more ! — they vanish from my sight — 
Like colors melting in the ev'ning skies. 
What shades of darkness gather on my eyes ! 
See! there they mo\e, yon sad funereal train! 
Wind round the hill, and seek the lowly plain. 
They bear him off upon that gloomy bier : 
They bear him off and leave me weeping here, 
And now they hide him in the narrow grave ! 
My sorrows How — alas ! they could not save ! 

O Wolcott ! all thy pleasant days are tied ! 
Thy friend, thy father, rests among the dead ! 
The hand of Death has wither'd all thy flowers, 
And Winter howls along thy leafless bowers. 
Thy hills that echo'd to the lowing kine, 
Thy plains where golden harvest us'd to shine, 
The tuneful groves — all, all, have felt the wound ; 
And all is still, and desolate around. 

Now let me seek that silent scene once more. 

And trace the path so often trod before ; 

Move o'er the vale, a silent shade of woe. 

While sorrow wakes, and bids my eyes o'errlow ■ 

Gaze at the spot, seen dimly thro' my tears, 

The peaceful nest of early happy years. 

And drink once more the murmurs of the grove. 

Where oft together we were wont to rove — 

Then turn, and pause on that forsaken hill, 

Beneath the moon's pale beam, when all is still; 

And O ! yet dearer to my mourning breast, 

Steal to the grave where Woodward takes his rest ; 

Bedew with faithful tears the grassy mound, 

And mix my sighs with those that breathe around. 



372 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

I reach the hill, but tremble to ascend. 

I fear to meet my dear departed friend. 

These mossy tresses floating from the trees, 

Too sadly murmur on the passing breeze ; 

Unearthly voices whisper in the air, 

And all is dark, and changed, to my despair. 

There stands the house of God! I know not how — 

It looks not as it did — how silent now ! 

Is this the meadow so loved before ? 

Alas ! how faded ! it shall bloom no more ! 

Yon drooping elm, that dear familiar tree ■ — 

It hangs its head — it is to weep with me ! 

And the sweet green on which my childhood play'd - 

Ev'n the sweet green, is wither'd and decay'd ! 

I seek the house, my dear abode so late : 

He comes not now to meet me at the gate. 

How still and mournful is the silent hearth, 

Once the dear scene of Nature's simple mirth ! 

No more the doctor, or the cheerful Squire, 

Shall crack their nuts and jests around the fire ; 

No more the maid her humming wheel suspend, 

To hear the tale of sorrows without end ; 

Nor I, the least of all the harmless train. 

Shall taste those joys of innocence again. 

But where is she, the partner of his heart ? 
Perhaps in some recess she mourns apart. 
Ah ! no ! she would not linger here alone ; 
Spoil'd is the nest, the wounded dove has flown, 
And whither, whither will the mourners fly ? 
Who now will kiss the sorrow from her eye ? 
Her father's hospitable home is near, 
' And friends and kindred shall embrace her there ; 
And she shall feel the solace of their love, — 
But sigh for him whose spirit soars above. 

I too must leave this sad deserted scene ; 
It soothes no more to be where, I have been. 
Lost all the charms my bosom held so dear. 



REV. ISRAEL B. WOODWARD. 373 

Alas ! I feel I have no business here. 
O gentle stream, whose melancholy flow 
Now bears a sympathy in all my woe ! 
Ye trees, whose sorrow-soothing branches wave 
In mournful murmurs o'er my Woodward's grave ! 
Ye groves, where Silence and Despondence dwell ! 
Ye rocks, still vocal with his funeral knell ! 
One parting look — one sad, one final view — 
One look — and now — eternally adieu ! 

'Tis past ! the vision leaves me like a dream ! 

Again I rove beside my native stream, 

And see ! the colors of departing day 

Are fading slowly, silently away; 

While yon bright star, the herald of the night, 

Comes smiling forth, and sparkles with delight. 

So would I steal from life's tumultuous throng, 

And leave a world where I have liv'd too long; 

So pass away, unseen by human eyes, 

And melt serenely in my native skies ; 

Yet not extinct — the soul that God has given, 

Shall shine forever, as a star, in heaven ! 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 

FIRST DAY. 

September iothand i ith, 1873, will long be memorable 
days in the town of Wolcott, — they being devoted to 
the first centennial celebration of the Congregational 
Church and Society of that town-". The day opened 
with clear sky and promise of good weather, though a 
little cool. Precisely at sun rise the church bell began to 
ring, and the effect was thrilling to the ear, while the 
imagination ran over the hundred years past, contrasting 
it with the present, and calling up the changes and 
onward march of events during these years. 

At ten o'clock the bell rang again, for the assembling 
of the people in the large tent constructed for the occa- 
sion in the center of the green. 

After a little delay from the coldness of the morning 
air, the audience gathered at the call of the drum band, 
the old honored band of Wolcott, playing an old fash- 
ioned tune, in charming style. Then followed the singing 
of a hymn from the collection printed for the occasion. 
The hymn begins : — 

Oh, 'twas a joyful .sound to hear 

Our tribe devoutly say, 
" Up, Israel, to the temple haste, 

And keep our festal day." 

It was sang to the old tune "Mear." In the singing, the 

* The meeting would have taken place on the iSth of November, but for 
the fact that the coldness of the weather would have rendered it impracti- 
cable at that time of the year. 



3/8 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

choir were accompanied by a cabinet organ, bass viol, vio- 
lin, and silver flute, all played with skill and power. In the 
choir were skilled singers, old and young, natives of 
Wolcott, mostly, and residents here and from abroad. 
These, with the large audience, who were supplied with 
the hymns, sang with gladness and spirit. The one hun- 
dred and forty-seventh Psalm was read, and seemed pe- 
culiarly appropriate. A prayer, offered by Rev. A. C. 
Beach, a former pastor, touched all hearts, and very 
happily opened the meeting in the right spirit. The 
singing of the next hymn, — 

Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing, 

to the old tune of " Exhortation," added to the interest 
of the meeting. 

The acting pastor, Rev. S. Orcutt, made a brief and 
pertinent address of welcome. He alluded to the nature 
of the occasion, and the auspicious circumstances of the 
day, and announced that the exercises had been arranged 
to cover two days, and would consist of historical ad- 
dresses, old fashioned music, and off hand remarks by 
former residents and other friends of the town. 

After the welcome the Rev. A. C. Beach was intro- 
duced, and began his remarks by avowing his deep inter- 
est in the occasion. As he reviewed the hundred years, 
he found his own pastorate covered one-seventh of that 
period. While lamenting that he had done so little, he 
yet rejoiced in his work, and was grateful to God for 
sparing him to witness this hour. There came to his 
mind mingled memories, — pleasant and sad. The monu- 
ments in the grave yard reminded him of loved ones gone 
before, to a better land. His only surviving son was 
born here, and this son he was glad to speak of to-day 
as a minister of Christ. He made a playful allusion to 
the fact that some thought that the son excelled the 
father, and for his part, he half believed it. 

After another hymn, a paper prepared for the occasion, 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 379 

on the settlement of the town and organization of the 
First Society was read by Rev. H. R. Timlow, of South- 
ington. This paper consisted in part of extracts from 
the first chapters of the History of Wolcott. 

After the reading of this paper, Mr. A. Bronson Alcott, 
of Concord, Mass., was introduced. He said he was 
proud to stand there as the descendant of John Alcock, 
the first settler. He alluded to the name as being Al- 
cock, originally, but that it had been changed to Alcox, 
and also to Alcott. John Alcock was a surveyor, and 
owned about twelve hundred acres of land. He had four 
sons and four daughters. To each son he gave a farm, 
and to each daughter, as she was married, he gave an 
endowment. Two settled at North Haven, and one each 
at Bristol and Plymouth, Conn. He spoke of the grave- 
yard as containing the dust of the past generations, and 
was happy to-day to do honor to the memory of the good 
who had lived here. He was ready to praise them for 
what they did and suffered. Living, as they did, quite 
a mile apart, there was but little social intercourse, ex- 
cept on the Sabbath. Nor were there roads, as now, — 
only paths. Neither had they many horses, and they 
went chiefly on foot. He humorously gave his recollec- 
tion of old-time ministers and usages. Human nature 
was the same then as now, and about as unimpressible. 
He was taught the catechism — both Westminster and 
that of the Episcopal church. These two streams he 
thought about satisfied the wants of his nature. Boys 
and girls carried their shoes in their hand until near the 
church, when they would put them on. The tithing-men 
were around to keep order. His description of the big 
hats and ill-fitting garments that clothed the boys, was 
laughable. He thought that, on the whole, the young 
people behaved better in church than they do now. The 
first preaching he remembered was that of Rev. John 
Keys, pastor from 1814 to 1822. Mr. Keys was highly 
educated, and conducted a school, which was flourishing, 



380 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT., 

and of great use to the town. It was the custom then 
for children to repeat ' the text at home, giving chapter 
and verse, and often the whole chapter was read in the 
family. Mr. Alcott said he early began to take notes of 
the sermon, a fact that was a discipline to him of great 
service in after life. After sunset, on the Sabbath, there 
was great liberty, and then the " courting" was done. 
He spoke of the farmers going to church in warm weather 
with the coat upon the arm. The clothing of both sexes 
was home-spun. He told of his first appearance in broad- 
cloth, and how he earned the money to buy the suit, — 
his pride when going to church, and how he was " taken 
down " by the remarks of bystanders. He spoke of his 
early thirst for knowledge, — how he gathered, from the 
neighborhood, old almanacs and papers, and finally 
coming across a copy of " Pilgrim's Progress," how he 
devoured it. This book he commended to the young be- 
fore him as a priceless treasure. 

No report can do Mr. Alcott's remarks justice, for his 
mirthfulness cannot be transferred to paper. 

There were exhibited at this time a number of articles 
over a hundred years old. A dozen or more chairs on 
the platform, each of which indicated a hundred years of 
use ; a table, also of the same description, covered with 
a home-spun linen table-cloth, that was more than a 
hundred and twenty-five years old, yet perfectly white, 
and good as new ; a large, elegant book, over two hun- 
dred years old, imported from England by the Pritchard 
family, and a number of other articles of smaller value. 

Rev. W. W. Belden was introduced, and made remarks 
of interest concerning the Governors Wolcott, after the 
younger of whom this town was named. He also gave 
some account of the historical occurrences on the tenth of 
September, — the day on which the meeting was being 
held. 

At twelve o'clock a recess was taken for two hours, 
during which time the large company partook of a col- 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 38 1 

lation on the green ; the ministers and speakers, their 
wives and families, being invited to the parsonage for din- 
ner and rest. During this recess many old friends shook 
hands and talked over old times, and "seemed young 
again." The weather being the most delightful possible, 
all were glad as in the days of youth ; though the re- 
membrances spoken of brought tears to many eyes. 

Re-assembling at two o'clock, at the call of the drum 
band, a hymn was sung, and prayer offered by Rev. Mr. 
Belden. A paper containing the names of the ministers 
of the town, and the length of their services, was read 
by Rev. J. Wickliffe Beach, from which it appeared that 
the settled pastors have been seven ; the whole number 
of years they served were seventy, an average of nearly 
ten years. In one hundred years the church has had 
ninety years of preaching services, — or 4,680 Sabbaths, 
or 9,360 sermons. The expense of hiring ministers 
eighty-five years amounted to $42,500, $3,000 of which 
had been paid by the Connecticut Home Missionary 
Society. 

Another paper containing a short account of the or- 
ganization of the Congregational church in Wolcott, was 
read by Rev. William P. Alcott. 

Mr. A. Bronson Alcott, by desire, then read the fol- 
lowing address from the pen of Edward Bronson Cooke, 
Esq., editor of the Waterbury American : 

Friends and Citizens of Wolcott : — Having been invited 
on behalf of the committee, to furnish some reminiscenses of my 
youthful days, in regard to the town and people of Wolcott, on 
this great occasion, I most cheerfully comply, hoping that the facts 
and incidents will interest many of my hearers, and meet their 
approbation and acceptance. Though not a native born citizen, 
yet I am no stranger here, having a family relationship through 
the medium of the Wolcott Upsons, the grandmother of the wri- 
ter being Jemima, the daughter of Joseph Upson, who married 
my grandfather. Moses Cooke^ of Waterbury, in 1766, a lineal de- 
scendant of Thomas Upson, the ancestor of the Wolcott and 



382 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Waterbury Upsons, all original proprietors and first settlers, who 
came from Farmington and Hartford in the company of the Rev. 
Mr. Hooker, all of Puritan stock and lineage. The writer also 
has the honor to claim his descent from the Bronsons, Judds, Por- 
ters, Scotts, and others, all of whom were original proprietors of 
Waterbury, including Wolcott, Middlebury, Watertown and Ply- 
mouth. 

Thus having defined my position, I claim the undisputed right 
to an eligible seat in this august assemblage, both by propinquity 
of blood and courtesy, and to all I cordially extend the right hand 
of fellowship. Now, having passed the eightieth mile stone of 
one hundred years, I am here to answer to the long centennial roll 
call, the oldest survivor of whom probably being present, although 
unknown to the writer, but whoever he may be, I congratulate 
him upon having lived to the present period, and witnessed the 
grand march of events as they have rolled onward, introducing 
new ideas and modern inventions in the industrial world, — on the 
farm, in the workshop, the manufactory, and the warehouse. Within 
the last century, the steam engine, steamboats, canals, railroads, 
and, to crown all, the genius of a Morse has invented the light- 
ning telegraph, followed by the lightning printing press, revolution- 
izing time and space, and uniting together the whole universe by 
a girdle around the world, making the most distant inhabitants 
next door neighbors. 

Among my earliest impressions of Wolcott, the names of Gates 
Upso i, Col. Streat Richards, and the Rev. Israel B. Woodward, 
were the most familiar I can call to remembrance. The former, 
Mr. Upson, came to Waterbury about 1802-3, and taught the 
Waterbury Center District School, consisting at the time of about 
one hundred scholars, ranging from five to eighteen years, of both 
sexes, — at that time being deemed one of the hardest schools in 
the country. Fortunately, however, for all parties concerned, he 
was equal to the position, both as a teacher and disciplinarian, 
having but on two occasions to administer corporeal punishment 
during the whole term, proving himself a most thorough and com- 
petent instructor, and an honor to his profession, acquitting him- 
self to the entire satisfaction of his patrons. A model man in 
all respects, leaving behind him a reputation and influence which 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 383 

was Celt for many years after he left the town and district, whom 
we did not again meet until the installation of Rev. Mr. Keys, 
in 1814. 

The first time I ever saw Wolcott, was at a General Training 
held there about 1803, the regiment of which at that time being 
commanded by Col. Streat Richards, who, by the virtue of his 
office, ordered the regiment to parade at Wolcott, — the only 
time that Wolcott was ever honored by that distinction. The 
Colonel was then in his prime and glory;, a man of wit, of 
strong impulses, of a gay disposition, well calculated for a 
popular officer, having that pride and ambition which consti- 
tutes the essentials of a military profession, but not averse to 
show, or " fuss and feathers," when having an opportunity to show 
himself off upon a well trained charger, clad in the old colonial 
or revolutionary uniform, with well powdered wig, ruffles on his 
bosom and at the wrists, high white-topped boots, three-cornered 
plumed hat, a la >/to</e, — the old regime of the Baron Steuben 
school, forming an imposing picture of the olden time. The 
Colonel felt his station, and casually observed to a brother officer, 
that on Sunday the Lord commanded, but to-day (Monday), his 
day, he was in command, — and the troops found it out during 
the day. Waterbury being so near at hand, all the boys from 
eight to fifteen were bound to attend, and although wheel con- 
veyances were scarce at that time, they organized a company, 
and resolved to foot it over the hills to the town center, starting 
from home an hour or two before daylight, arriving there just as the 
glorious sun gilded the eastern horizon, in time to see the out-of- 
town companies enter the village, and headed by martial music 
and colors flying, were conducted by the adjutant to the station 
for inspection. Captain John Kingsbury, of the old light infan- 
try, being brigade inspector, and Garret Smith adjutant. This 
occupied the forenoon till dinner, which was taken under the 
shade trees on the green, the boys participating in a shilling 
cut, after which the regiment took up the line of march to an 
open field, about a mile east of the center, where the parade and 
review took place, with all the pomp and circumstance of the 
old time General Training. Wolcott bore off the palm, as she 
always did, by her soldierdike bearing, neat and tidy uniforms. 



384 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

and her splendid military band, — the nucleus of the celebrated 
drum band still existing in spirit to the present time. The day 
was unusually fine, the display grand and without accident, an 
honor to the town and its intelligent people ; the only drawback 
being for those spectators condemned to foot their return after the 
fatigues of the day. 

The second time I saw Wolcott was in the year 18 13, at the 
installation of the Rev. Mr. Keys, the successor of the Rev. Mr. 
Woodward, though on a very different occasion, but which 
brought together a concourse of people filling the church to its 
utmost capacity, and the town with strangers. The leading min- 
ister on that occasion was the Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, of Litch- 
field (father of Henry Ward), then in his prime, who preached 4 the 
sermon, in the course of which he paid a warm eulogium upon the 
life and character of the deceased pastor as an impressive preach- 
er, a kindly and able instructor of youth, and one of the most 
useful and enterprising of citizens, — a great loss to the church 
and its people by his death. The deceased was one of the most 
popular of men ; by his amiable manners, his fine sociable quali- 
ties, and a great favorite with young people ; and particularly at 
weddings, parish gatherings for religious and benevolent purposes. 
The singing by the Wolcott choir received the highest praise 
from those present. After the exercises in the church were 
concluded, the writer dined at the village tavern then kept by 
Gates Upson, our old teacher, who provided an excellent enter- 
tainment for all who were present. 

And now, in conclusion, at the time of the installation of Mr. 
Keys, in the autumn of 18 13, Wolcott had evidently reached its 
maximum, in points of population, business, and prosperity. The 
census of 18 10, as published by authority, gave Wolcott a popu- 
lation of 952 souls, — at that time a flourishing town, supporting 
two well stocked stores with a large home trade, and three public 
houses, — one in the center, one at Shrub Oak, and the other 
known as Lewis', on the mountain, all apparently doing a fair 
business. A wonderful change, indeed, as we contrast the popu- 
lation of 1810 with that of 1873, as follows, viz.: 1810, 952; 
1830, 843; 1850, 603; i860, 574, and in 1870, 491 — a decline 
of fifty per cent, in the last sixty years. These figures exhibit 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 385 

the two extremes of 18 10 and 1870, showing the instability and 
vicissitudes of human calculation, which governs the times and its 
people. This decline, however, must not be attributed to any 
fault or deficiency on their part, as lacking in industry or enterprise 
over circumstances beyond their control, while such an impu- 
tation would be wrong and unjust. The reasons are manifold ; 
and first the western emigration fever entered Wolcott early in 
the present century, sowing the seeds of discontent, and bearing 
off some of her best and most enterprising citizens, giving up 
their farms and moving to the new Eldorado, — many of whom 
would afterwards gladly have returned had they the adequate 
means. But the greatest obstacle to its increase has been the 
establishment and multiplication of manufactories in the neigh- 
boring .towns, by drawing off the young men as they became 
of age, to enter the factories, induced by the offer of higher wa- 
ges, they leaving the old homesteads to take care of themselves, 
and their fathers in their old age. This is the solution which ex- 
plains itself. But Wolcott has reached bottom at last, the real 
hard pan, and must rise again, and with her present staid popu- 
lation, with her renewed energies, by putting the shoulder to the 
wheel in earnest, must show to those of the next century, that 
her sons have not degenerated, or we are no prophet. 

Thus we have known Wolcott and its people for sixty years, as 
industrious, intelligent, and upright a community as is to be found 
in the State ; as we have met them at their fireside, their fairs, 
cattle shows, and other public gatherings, where a welcome hospi- 
tality was always extended, as the editor of the American is ready 
to testify, a large number of whom have been its steady patrons 
for nearly thirty years, to whom we tender our most hearty com- 
pliments, hoping they may live to see Wolcott what she was in 
her most prosperous days, before the next century expires. 

Another paper, containing an account of the district and 
select schools of Wolcott was read, and was followed by 
remarks by Hon. B. G. Northrop, Secretary of the State 
Board of Education. He said he did not appear as a 
native, but as a visitor. He presented words of con- 
gratulation to the people on the joyfulness of this meet- 
ing, and the honor reflected from the past, as exhibited 
26 



386 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

in the papers read, but urged upon the people the pro- 
priety of considering the defects as well as the glory of 
the past. He noticed that, according to the statistics, 
the present state of education was defective, and should 
receive the earnest attention of the people. He pro- 
ceeded to show that all of our country towns were suf- 
fering, and traced the causes by referring to the effect 
of the want of education in some of the European na- 
tions. The absorption of capital in the railroads, and in 
the cities, was depopulating the rural districts. These 
districts should be beautified and magnified as the best 
place for the training of the young. The youth rush to 
the city to find employment and entertainment, but he 
would have them cultivate industries that they can 
pursue in the country. He proposed a town library, to 
be commenced at this time, the setting of trees along 
the streets, and other improvements. His remarks were 
received with pleasure, and were very appropriate and 
encouraging. 

He was followed by Mr. A. Bronson Alcott, on the 
subject of a town library, and he proposed a present of 
the books of the Concord authors to start the enterprise. 

Remarks by Rev. William H. Moore, Secretary of the 
Connecticut Home Missionary Society : 

The public worship of God has been a central idea in our 
Connecticut towns from the first. In the early days the general 
court would not incorporate a community as a town until the peo- 
ple showed their ability and readiness to support a minister • and 
not unfrequently one of the first votes passed after the organi- 
zation of the town, was to provide for the preaching of the gos- 
pel. It was in this spirit that twenty-one men and twenty women, 
accustomed to go from five to seven miles to worship with the 
churches of which they were members, took letters, and were 
constituted the church in Farmingbury. November 18th, 1773; 
the parish lying then partly in the town of Farmington, and 
partly in the town of Waterbury ; and the church being the third 
of the nine springing from the Waterbury First, — formed in 1687; 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 387 

and the eighth of the twenty-two springing from the Farmington 
First, — formed in 1652. Southington, the south parish in Farm- 
ington, became a town in 1779, and the parish of Farmingbury 
became the town of Wolcott in 1796. The church has had seven 
pastors, averaging ten years each, and five stated preachers, 
averaging three years each, and has been no long time without a 
minister. Its ministers have been good men, in doctrine and in 
life. The discipline of the church has been conducted with firm- 
ness and wisdom. There have been eight years of spiritual re- 
freshing, in which the church has received the following numbers 
on profession: 1774, 13: 1784, 18; 1815, 10; 1816, 10; 1828, 
30; 1843, 10; 1858, 37; 1867, t,^, — in all, 161. It reported in 
1840, 116 members, probably the largest number it has ever at- 
tained ; in 1852, 66; and in January, 1873, 93. 

A noticeable fact in the history of this place, is the steady de- 
cline of the population. The town first appeared in the census 
.in 1800, when the population was 948. In 1810, it was 952. 
Since 18 10 it has gone down with every census, and in 1870 was 
only 491. It lost in 1810 to 1820, 9; in 1820 to 1830, 100; 
in 1830 to 1840, 210; in 1840 to 1850, 30; in 1850 to i860. 
18; in i860 to 1870, 94. The only other town in the State 
which has declined at each census from 18 ro to 1870 is Hart- 
land, which, in this period, has lost 39 per cent. But Wolcott has 
in this time lost 48 per cent. In 1870, only two towns in Con- 
necticut had fewer inhabitants than Wolcott, namely : Marl- 
borough, 476, and Andover, 461. 

This fact is, naturally enough, discouraging. But what can be 
.said for your comfort? You have reason to be proud of the mi- 
gration which has gone forth from you, even as the old folks 
lingering at the hearth-stone where they have trained a family now 
scattered by the ways of Providence to bless the world. Your 
case is not desperate. Your estates, tenements, and families, have 
an aspect of thrift. You are not poor. The tax list of 1872 was 
$252,789, or an average of $512 for each person, and $2,022 for 
each of the one hundred and twenty-five families reported in 
1870, — in which respect you are better off than many of us min- 
isters. Your young people, as they grow up, move away; but 
you are not past fruitfulness, nor blighted with barrenness, and 



388 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

had in January, 1873, 100 school children, and an average of 
$2,348 of taxable property for each of these children, while 
Waterbury had only $2,067, and Southington only $1,817 for 
each school child. In this comparison only fifty towns in the 
State are above you, and 113 are below you. In this order, Wol- 
cott is numbered 51; Waterbury, 87 ; and Southington, 114. 

Religion has not waned among you. The spiritual condition 
of the place is certainly better than in 1800, and better than in 
1850. The ratio of the members of this church to the popu- 
lation (nineteen per cent.) is larger now than then. Probably 
no equal period in the history of the church has been more fruit- 
ful than the last fifteen years, — 1857 t0 1 &7 2 - I n tms ti me y° u 
have raised up two ministers of the gospel, — the only two ever 
raised here. In this time, while 94 have been removed from the 
church — a number larger than it now contains — namely: 3 by 
discipline, 40 by death, and 51 by letter, you have added 115, 
namely: 24 by letter, and 91 by profession, including the fruits- 
of the two most extensive revivals ever enjoyed here. These ad- 
ditions by profession have averaged one for each communion sea- 
son in the whole fifteen years. You have a good Meeting house 
and parsonage, and the Society is free from debt. You have a 
fine choir, a flourishing Sabbath school, embracing all ages, and 
a stable and intelligent congregation, attending church all day. 
You have made a commendable advance in the salary of the 
minister, — from $500 in 186 1, to $950 in 1873. In addition to 
the local support of the gospel, you have given in the last four- 
teen years, for charities, $2,066.25, — or an average of about $150 
a year. You have the aid of the Connecticut Home Missionary 
Society, which has voted you in 1832 to 1873, $3'335> anc ^ wll 
not fail to stand by you so long as you are needy and worthy of 
its assistance. You are not the weakest, nor the most irresolute 
of the aided churches. Only three of those assisted this year have 
more taxable property than you. In January. 1873, the resident 
members of this church had $49,691 of taxable property, on which 
they pledged for the expenses of the year $575, or a per centage 
of .01157, an d an average of $17.42 for each of the thirty-three 
male members of the church. 

And while the town stands so well in property as compared 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 389 

with other towns, it is to be noted and remembered that we have 
seventy-six Congregational churches in this State, — or more than 
one-quarter of our whole number, — which are smaller than this 
church. 

In this condition of things you have reason to respect your 
history, your church, and yourselves, and to be hopeful. With a 
right spirit in yourselves, you have a right to expect the aid, if 
need be, of prosperous sons who have gone out from you, the 
help of the abler churches, and the blessing of God securing you 
an eligible future for the life that now is, and for that which is to 



Rev. J. Wickliffe Beach followed in remarks explana- 
tory of the statistical representation of the town, as 
contrasted with former years. 

Another paper was read containing a sketch of the 
formation of the Episcopal Society and church in Wolcott. 

Remarks by Simeon H. Norton, Esq., of Plantsville : 

Mr. Chairman : — It is always pleasant to be kindly greeted 
by friends, but to-day I am extremely happy to meet you and 
the,se my fellow citizens in this great meeting. The associations 
are delightful, and I feel their magnetic influence in every fibre of 
my system, while standing in my old native town surrounded by 
the friends of my youth. You may not attach any great impor- 
tance to anything I shall say, since you have a large amount of 
speaking talent here to-day; yet while they build the substantial 
superstructure I may fill in the chinking. Now, ladies and gentle- 
men, being a native Wolcott man, I beg your patient consider- 
ation for a short time while I indulge in some personal reminis- 
censes. The scenes of my childhood and youth are vividly 
brought to my mind this day. My rambles over these hills, and 
through these valleys, — my early admiration of the vast extent 
and unfathomable depth of the mill pond in yonder hollow, — all 
recur to me with great clearness. In my early youth I looked 
with amazement at the magnificent machinery of Norton's carding 
machine and grist mill, and wondered where all the money came 
from to build such enormously great works. Having been to the 
mill one day, upon returning home, I asked my mother if there 



390 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

was another mill in the world as large as Uncle John's grist mill. 
Benham and Tuttle's store I considered the greatest emporium 
of trade in the universe, and doubted if there were any other 
men in the world rich enough to buy as many fine things as they 
exhibited in their store. And, oh ! how my mouth did water for 
the candies in their jars, — but alas! I had no money with which 
to buy them. On one training day I had five cents, and only 
five, for spending money, and with this I intended to buy at least 
two rolls of candy, and a few peanuts. As soon as I arrived upon 
the ground Mr. Manly Upson tempted me to give the whole of 
my money for a little foolish picture book. Presently the boys 
came around me eating their candies, and asked me why I did 
•not buy some. Then my joy and courage all fled, and bursting 
into tears said : " I have paid all my money for a darned, little, 
foolish, picture book." At that time a very kind hearted but 
eccentric man came along, whose name was Richard Hopkins, 
alias Dick Brady. Perhaps it may be interesting to our South- 
ington friends who are here, to be informed that this man was a 
brother of Mrs. Elihu Carter, who was the mother of our re- 
spected townsmen, Messrs. Hopkins and Asahel Carter. Well, 
Uncle Dick asked me what was the matter. I told him I had 
paid Mr. Manly Upson all my money for a darned little picture 
book, and had none to buy candy with. He said he would go 
with me to Mr. Upson, and get him to take the book and give 
me the money ; but this Mr. Upson peremptorily declined, and 
was inexorable. Upon this Uncle Dick gave me five cents from 
his own pocket, after talking rather harshly to the man who sold 
me the book. Oh, what a sense of thankfulness filled my young 
heart towards that kind man. I thought Uncle Dick would 
surely go to heaven, and that the other man would as surely go 
in the opposite direction. Since arriving to the years of manhood, 
I have received many favors from distinguished men, but they all 
dwindle into insignificance compared with that of my kind old 
Uncle, Dick Brady. 

Now, my friends, that was a great lesson to me, and may be to 
my young friends present. Whenever I am tempted to buy any- 
thing I do not really need, I think of the little, darned, foolish 
picture book. The moral of the lesson is, that when we see a 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 39] 

poor, destitute, crying boy among many happy children, we may 
accomplish a great good by helping such a boy. 

Another remembrance is peculiarly pleasant to me, — it is that 
of the singing I used to hear in Wolcott. I thought there was 
no tenor vocalist in the world equal to Stephen Harrison; and in 
all candor I must say that I never heard a sweeter or more natural 
voice for singing tenor than his. 

My early school teachers, too, — Mr. Bartholomew, Capt. Gates 
Upson, Mr. Isaac Bronson, and others, — I regarded as the very 
embodiment of learning. I used to sit on the little slab bench 
with four legs and eagerly imbibe their marvelous teachings. And 
our school committee I considered the most august body in the 
world. I had no idea that any other body of men could be 
found who could be half as dignified, half as consequential, half 
as magnanimous, as they were. 

Another item. I never felt as rich in my life, or so much like 
a millionaire, as when I received twenty-five cents from Mr. Ira 
Hough, for two long days' work, gathering apples. 

The" first clergyman of whom I have any recollection was the 
Rev. John Keys. Oh, how dignified, how holy, how awfully sub- 
lime, he appeared to me. I regarded him as belonging to a su- 
perior order of beings. I was afraid of him. His name was 
Keys, and I had the superstitious notion that he held in his hands 
the keys of the bottomless pit into which he would put all 
naughty boys. Many a time, when I saw him coming in the dis- 
tance, I have run back or turned into the fields to avoid meeting 
him. 

On Saturday afternoons, in the public schools, we always recited 
the Westminster Catechism, all through, from "What is the chief 
end of man?" to "What doth the conclusion of the Lord's 
Prayer teach us ? " After the recitation the teacher would talk 
to us on religious subjects, and then allow the school to ask ques- 
tions. I was very diffident, but on one occasion I mustered cour- 
age to ask the question : "Mr. Bartholomew, who made God?" 
The teacher smiled, and asked me what I thought of the ques- 
tion. I could not tell. Upon which owe boy in the school, by 
the name of Ezra S. Hough, jumped up and said, "I know who 
made God." The teacher gave him liberty to tell, when he said, 



392 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

"I don't know certain, but I guess Mr. Keys did." Tn those 
days it was considered very impious to smile when the Catechism 
was under consideration, but on this occasion Mr. Bartholomew 
laughed outright, and said to the little boy, "You had better go 
and ask Mr. Keys." 

In the old church, on one occasion, when we had a long prosy 
sermon, a young man, by the name of Timothy Hotchkiss, who 
occupied one of the old-fashioned pews alone, lay down on the 
seat, and fell asleep. The meeting ended, the congregation 
retired, the house was closed, and the young man left asleep. 
After sleeping about two hours, he awoke and succeeded in 
creeping out of one of the windows. Upon arriving home, his 
mother said, "Timothy, why are you so late from meeting?" He 
replied, "I tell you what it is, mother, we had a long-winded 
preacher to-day." 

While on reminiscences I must not omit to say that three of the 
most important, interesting, and solemn scenes of my life were 
enacted on this very ground. The old Meeting house was used 
for the conveniences of town meetings, as well as religious 
services, and in it I took the Freeman's oath, and solemnly 
swore to be true and faithful to my State and to my country, and 
always to cast my vote as should conduce to the best good of the 
same, according to the dictates of my own conscience; and, 
allow me to add, that every freeman should have this oath written 
upon the tablets of his heart, and be governed by it in all his 
political actions. 

In yonder little church, I took the vows of God upon me, and 
before God, angels, and men, solemnly promised, that by God's 
help, I would obediently keep His holy commandments, and walk 
in the same all the days of my life. 

In that same church I stood before the altar, on the 16th day 
of October, 1836, and held one by the hand, whom I promised 
to love, comfort, honor and keep, in sickness and in health, so 
long as we both should live. 

My friends, this town is the place of my birth, the home of my 
early years, and though in the providence of God I have been 
absent from it most of my years, yet I have always cherished a 
lively remembrance of itj and have always had great respect for 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 393 

the general character of my native townsmen, and whenever I 
hear anything said of them derogatory, it stirs within me a feeling 
of resentment. Wherever my residence has been, it has been in 
the midst of Wolcott men, and I have seen them greatly respected 
and occupying places of trust and responsibility. After leaving 
Wolcott my residence, for different periods of time, was in the 
following places : Meriden, Bristol, Plainville, and Plymouth. In 
1844 I alighted in the town of Southington, where I now reside. 
I first struck on the banks of the "raging canal," when there was 
no railroad in Southington. The first two men who greeted me 
were Mr. Isaac Burritt, who will speak to you at this meeting, 
and his brother, the world-renowned Elihu Burritt, who will also 
address you. I found then in Southington a population of fifteen 
hundred, it has increased to five thousand. I am much attached 
to my adopted town, and desire gratefully to acknowledge that 
the people of the town have bestowed upon your poor, diffident 
Wolcott boy a large amount of patronage and confidence. 

( )ne word to my Episcopal brethren and friends. Allow me to 
earnestly advise you to unite with the Congregationalists, here, 
and help support their organization. And, although you will 
miss some of the solemn, impressive, and distinctive features of 
our church service, yet we all have the same holy bible for the 
foundation of our faith and practice. During the last illness of 
my dear wife, the Rev. Mr. Eastman frequently called on her, and 
it was her dying request that he should attend her funeral with an 
Episcopalian clergyman, and it has always been my practice to 
worship with Christians of other denominations in the absence of 
the service of the church of my choice. 

In looking around me to-day the sad reflection involuntarily 
comes to my mind that many of my former friends and acquaint- 
ances are not here. Where are they? Some have gone to 
distant lands; others have passed that bourne from whence no 
traveler returns. My father and mother, and sisters Jennette 
and Justina, lie in yonder grave yard. My sister Hannah 
Higgins lies in the yard in the south part of this town. My 
sister Julina Bail lies in one of the cemeteries in New Haven. 
My brothers, Levi and Samuel, remain with me in the land of the 
living — the former in Plantsville, the latter in Sacramento, Cal. 



394 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Many of the companions of my earlier years are gone. Where 
is Colonel Tuttle ? Where is Ezra S. Hough, and where are 
many, many others ? We call them, but they answer not ! A 
messenger has taken them hence and they come not again nor 
answer the call of their friends. And it is the impression of this 
hour that whither they have gone we are all rapidly hastening. 

Now, my friends, one reminiscence of a more modern date and 
I shall have done. The last time that I had the pleasure of 
addressing a public meeting in this town was on the Fourth of 
July, 1863. At that time a dark cloud, like a pall, hung over our 
beloved country. But two months previous my only son had 
fallen in the terrible battle of Chancellorville. The storm of 
civil war was upon us; its lightnings were flashing and its 
thunders roaring ! At that meeting you passed a resolution by 
acclamation that the rebellion must be crushed at whatever hazard 
or cost. It was a dark day for our country. At that meeting the 
people of this town assembled en masse, in yonder grove, re- 
enforced by many from the adjacent towns, and over all floated 
our national flag. I notice that the same flag now waves over 
this bower. 

My fellow citizens, there is to my mind overwhelming inspira- 
tion in the " Old Flag of our Union," which now floats triumph- 
antly over all the people of this great nation. But a few years 
ago that sacred emblem of national honor was insulted, torn flown 
and trampled in the dust by those who had sworn to protect it. 
The people of the loyal states solemnly resolved to raise and 
protect it to their utmost, and it is now the flag of all the people. 
Republicans and Democrats; old line Whigs and Abolitionists ; 
Christians and sinners ; all, with rare exceptions, rushed to the 
support of the flag. For it the people sacrificed their sons and 
brothers, their fathers and husbands, upon the altar of their country. 
When our good old ship of state was on the breakers ; when the 
storm of civil war was periling all our cherished hopes, then 
these brave kindred went out to the rescue, and, blessed be God, 
they saved the old ship! And now the glorious constellated 
banner of the United States floats over all this vast expanse of 
country, — from Maine to the Rio Grande, from the Atlantic to 
the Pacific. Our national sun does not seem destined to set in 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 395 

the dark night of chaos, but bids fair to culminate in the meridian 
sky. 

Rev. Mr. Hillard, of Plymouth, followed in remarks 
in the highest style of anecdote and illustration, which 
greatly animated the audience, and prepared them to 
come up to the second day's meeting with the greater 
intellectual appetite for what might be in store. Thus 
ended the first day of the great meeting at Wolcott. 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 

SECOND DAY. 

The' morning opened cloudy, but about ten o'clock 
brightened up, with a soft south wind, and most delight- 
ful weather. The audience was nearly the same as the 
day before, — about one thousand, — and but for the threat- 
ening of the weather in the morning, would have been 
much larger. The memorial meeting of the morning 
opened with affecting remembrances of the past, and 
passed into inspiring hopes of the future. The first pa- 
per read contained the names of the inhabitants who 
settled in Wolcott before the year 1770, as fully as had 
been obtained. The second paper contained the names 
and ages of persons who had lived to be over seventy 
years of age, as follows : 

John Alcott, first settler, aged 71; his widow Deborah, 77; 
Obed Alcox, 71; his widow Anna, 87; Eldad Alcox, 71; Capt. 
John Alcox, 77; his wife Mary, 71 ; James Alcox, 1st, 74; his 
widow Hannah, 92; James Alcott, 2d, 87 ; his wife Esther, 85; 
Jesse Alcox, 74; his widow Patience, 97; David Alcox, 81 ; John 
B. Alcox, 73; his widow Lois, 70; Mark Alcott, 74; widow 
Lydia xAlcott, 82; Jedediah G. Alcott, 79 ; widow Elizabeth Al- 
cott, 84 ; Thomas Alcott, 73 ; Anna Bronson Alcott, widow of 
Joseph C, 91: Joseph Atkins, sen., 71; his widow Abigail, 80; 
Luther Atkins, 71; Esther Atkins, 74; Levi Atkins, sen., 81; 
his widow Eunice, 91; Abel Beecher, 74; Capt. Joseph Beecher, 
90; his wife Esther, 75 ; John Beecher, 74; Luther Andrews, 77; 
widow Martha Andrews, 89; Israel Baldwin, 87; his wife, 80; 
Deacon James Bailey, 78; widow Thede Bailey, 91; Benjamin 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 397 

Bement, 88; Jonathan Bement, 72 ; Zealous Blakeslee, 7;,; his 
wife Sarah, 72 — both died on the same day; Hezekiah Bradley, 
82; widow Anna Bradley, 79; Moses Bradley, 71 ; Titus Brack- 
et^ 77; Sarah, wife of Titus Brackett, 71; Zuar Brackett, 87; 
his wife Eunice, 81 ; widow Semantha Brooks, 84; Daniel living- 
ton, jr., 86; his widow Elizabeth, 87 ; John Bronson, 103; his 
wife Hannah, 72; John Bronson, jr., 91 ; Deacon Isaac Bronson, 
84 ; his widow Thankful, 93 ; Hannah Bronson, 88; Clark Bron- 
son, 82; his wife Experience, 72; Samuel Downes, 73; Obed 
Doolittle, 90 ; Stephen Carter, 88; widow Lucy S. Carter, 76; 
Mary Chatterton, 95; widow Sarah Churchill. 92 ; widow Sarah 
Finch, 85; widow Ruth Finch, 86; Adah Finch, 77; Eleazer 
Finch, 83 ; his wife Hannah. 76; Jerusha Finch. 77; Judah Fris- 
bie, 73; his widow Hannah, 83; John Frisbie, 84 ; Reuben Fris- 
bie, 78; Elijah Frisbie, 82; David Frost, 83; Mr. Gridley, <u . 
willow Naomi Guernsey, 87 ; Asa Hall, 76 ; Capt. He man Hall, 
73; Capt. Levi Hall, 80; Lydia. widow of Heman Hall, 79; 
widow Betsey A. Hall. 86: Mary, wife of Ephraim Hall, 70; 
Nancy, wife of Orrin Hall, 74 ; Deacon Aaron Harrison, 93 ; 
his widow Jerusha. 92 ; widow Lydia Harrison, 76 ; Samuel Hor- 
ton, 84 ; Elisha Horton, 8 1 ; Mary, wife of Ira Hough, 83 ; Bet- 
sey, wife of Lyman Higgins, 74; Timothy Higgins, 75; his 
widow, 75 ; Isaac Hopkins, 96 ; Harvey Hopkins, 76 ; Titus 
Hotchkiss, 81; Timothy Hotchkiss, 77; Isaac Hotchkiss, 83; 
Milo G. Hotchkiss, 75; his wife Abigail. 73; Major Luther 
Hotchkiss. 84 ; his widow Anna, 83 ; Abner Hotchkiss, 75 ; his 
widow Mary, 72; widow Patience Hitchcock, 97 ; John J. Ke- 
nea. 76 ; his widow Obedience, 88; Levi Johnson, 72 ; his widow 
Ruth. 80 ; Nathaniel Lane, 76 ; widow Melicent Lane, 88 ; Dan- 
iel Lane. 86; his widow Ke/.iah, 87; Royce Lewis, 73; laid 
Lindsley, 75; Nathaniel Lewis, 90; Lois, widow of Appleton 
Lewis, 83 ; Joseph Minor, 89; his wife Mary, 82 ; Joshua Minor, 
83; Marcus Minor. 80; Klihu Moulthrop. 75: Mrs. Mills. 74; 
David Norton, 71 ; ( )zias Norton, 87 ; widow Hannah Norton, 
87; widow Viah Norton, 73; widow Abigail Norton, 73; Samuel 
Nichols. 95 ; Joseph M. Parker, 77 ; Eldad Parker, 85; his wife 
Sylvia, 74; Mary Parker, 99; David Pardee, 84; Elizabeth Par- 
dee. 77 : Deacon Justus Peck. 75 ; Col. Moses Pond. 87 ; Solo- 



39S HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

mon Plumb, 79; his wife Lydia, 76; widow Mary Rowe, 83 ; 
widow Phebe Rich, 85 ; Orrin Plumb, 75; Samuel Plumb, 74; 
widow Lucietia Plumb, 85; Willard Plumb, 70; William C. 
Pluymert, 74; widow Pluymert, 83 ; Amos Roberts, 76; widow 
Eunice Smith, 83 ; David Scarritt, 81 ; his wife Hannah, 73 ; 
Joseph N. Sperry, 71 ; Josiah Thomas, 73 ; his widow Mary, 88 ? 
Martha, widow of James Thomas, 79 ; widow Jemima Thomas, 
85 ; John Thomas, 75 ; Jerry Todd, 73 ; widow Amy Todd, 98; 
Capt. Lucius Tuttle, 97 : widow Rebecca Tuttle, 86 ; widow 
Amy Tuttle, 76; Lucius Tuttle, 89 : Abraham Tuttle, 89 ; widow 
Eunice Tyler, 84 ; widow Sarah Truesdell, 94 : Rhoda, widow of 
Washington Upson, 72 : Capt. Samuel Upson, 79 ; his wife Ruth, 
70 : Gates Upson, 72 ; Selah Upson, 78 ; his widow Martha, 83 ; 
Deacon Harvey Upson, 88; his wife Rachel. 76 : Ashbel Upson, 
71; Martin Upson, 77; his wife Phebe, 73: widow Margaret 
Warner. 84 ; Eliakim Welton, 1st, 79 ; Eliakim Welton. 2d, 95 : 
his wite Amy. 87 : Vodicia Welton, 73 ; widow Julia A. Welton, 
71: widow Hannah Welton, 88: Bronson Welton, 79; Elias 
Welton. 77 : Aaron Wiard. 74; Olive Wiard, 77 ; Philomela, 
widow of Jared Welton, 85 : Joseph Smith, 75. 

In all, 177 who lived over 70 years. Of these, 97 lived 
over 80 years, 24 lived to be over 90 years old, and 10 
lived to be over 95 years old. John Bronson lived to be 
103 years old. When he was one hundred years old a 
a centenary meeting was held in Wolcott to celebrate 
his one hundredth anniversary, at which time a sermon 
was preached and a pleasant time enjoyed. 

The Mother of David Norton lived in Wolcott several 
years, and returned to Guilford, Conn., when she was 105 
years old, and she lived to be 1 10 years old. 

Remarks were made by the acting pastor, appreciative- 
of the great service the clerks of the church and society 
had rendered in keeping the records-so fully and carefully. 
But for want of time in preparing it, a list of these offi- 
cers would have been read on this occasion. A list of 
the deacons of the church was then read, and some re- 
marks made by the present minister in regard to them, 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. ' 399 

and particularly Deacon Aaron Harrison, and Deacon 
Isaac Bronson. Of Deacon Harrison, it was said he was 
the first deacon of the church, the first captain of the 
first military company in Wolcott, and made the first 
prayer in the first Meeting house. At his burial the 
military were in review, and marched to the grave, fol- 
lowing the corpse, the band playing with muffled drums 
a funeral dirge. This dirge was performed by the 
band present, and gave great satisfaction to all, and was 
so peculiarly appropriate that it was called for again in 
the afternoon. Following this was a funeral hymn : — 

" Why do we mourn departing friends, 
Or shake at death's alarms?" 

sung to the tune China, C. M., in the old style, — slow 
and pathetic. This was followed by remarks memorial, 
by Rev. A. C. Beach, who remembered with great satis- 
faction Deacon Isaac Bronson. Mr. Isaac Bronson, son 
of Deacon Irad Bronson, of Bristol, and grandson of 
Isaac, made some appropriate remarks, and to these 
were added remarks by Mr. A. B. Alcott, in the same 
cheerful yet kindly remembrances of the good man now 
gone. 

THE CENTENARY POEM. 

Inscribed to the Congregational Church and Society of Wolcott, Conn. 

BY WILLIAM ELLERY CHANNING. 

The Ages pass, their heroes live and fade, 
And mythic pens prose to a future shade ; 
Again the Trojan plains refresh our sight, 
The Hashing plumes Astyanax delight, 
Again to us, — again his Sabine farm 
That Roman Horace sends us with a charm, 
And silver Virgil slowly tunes his lay, — 
Time was and is, — let us implore to-day ! 

In these plain fields, upon old Spindle Hill, 

Not vainly Wolcott looks nor turns its mill, 

Mad River, — child of the deep and moss-clad swamp, 

Around whose spruce our wandering thoughts encamp ; 



400 * HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

For sweet renew the fading dreams of old, 
When the fleet Indian here was hunting bold ; 
Not merely savage, but possessed with sense, 
Social and kind, shrewd in his eloquence. 
No mere destructive, formed to mash and slay, 
He loved to see the softening light delay 
On Wolcott's height and touch her shadowy vales ; 
Child of mysterious thought and Nature's ails. 
His altar was the sunshine on the hills, 
The bird's quick song, the woodland or the rills, 
And where to-day we greet the Hundred Years, 
Since first this church allayed 'uncivil fears, 
Tolled on dark centuries a moldering knell, 
Trees were their pillars, winds were all the bell. 

To us, this hundred years more than a line 

Of tawny sachems comes, a thought divine ; 

It, in our human nature has its dates, 

And more to us, than outward things relates. 

The Father's home, Wolcott the dear, the good ; 

The hills, the vales a crowning multitude, 

Eyeing afar the steeples where they shine ; 

From Spindle Hill we touch the blue sea brine, 

And Farmingbury names the simple truth. 

As now, so in the pastime of her youth, 

They ploughed the shining glebe, they stocked the mill. 

Rising from homelier attributes to skill. 

Our virtuous Fathers, strong and steady folk , 

Slow in their motion, not divest of joke ; 

On "proxing day" they voted for the best, 

To guide the impulse of the busy nest. 

They brewed the vintage oft from mellow grain, 

Saw rich Pomona load the joyous wain, 

Bearing great tributes from the orchards fair, 

In sparkling cups desiderable cheer. 

Pleased with .sobriety our yoemen held 

Feasts of the farming genius, not impelled 

By thoughtless fashion's quite unfeeling sway, 

A spendthrift worm that eats its web away. 

The husking frolic made the barn aloud, 

The ruddy corn sent laughter through the crowd, 

While the coy virgin held the blackened ear, 

Half mischief bent, she still reserved its fear ; 

And gay Philander marching chose his love, — 

His choice forever, let us hope to prove. 

No word profane then sullied house or street ; 



I 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 401 

The time was innocent, its moral sweet. 

So lived the Fathers ; natural men were they, 
Whate'er they held, the youth should swift obey. 
They did not spare the law, the child to spoil ; 
They cherished industry, nor thought it toil. 
Duly each Sabbath to this church they came, 
Devoutly pious in salvation's flame ; 
Good counsels got, that brought the week in view ; 
Here might one think, and here his thought renew. 

An English race, an English tint may prize ; 
The Saxon blonde that shines from friendly eyes. 
Light waves the tress across yon Parian brow ; 
Blue are those tender orbs as violets grow, — 
Those pleasant glances of the English maid , 
Stealing along the barnside, by the glade. 
Such blood shows temperate, such in virtue grows ; 
Loves the old homestead, where the sires repose ; 
The modest field along the gentle height ; 
They rest from all their labors, from the fight. 
The silent hermits of the peaceful cell, 
"Afterlife's fitful fever they sleep well." 
So sang a poet once, and yet this race, 
After life's earnest action, seek for grace. 
Softly that watchful sky bends patient down, 
And winds and waters smooth their burial-town. 

And must we ask for monuments more high 

Than these plain stones, and should this church defy. 

With pillared arches or o'er-fretting spire, 

Time's deepest dents or the last judgment-fire ? 

A glittering abbey but a sty of monks, 

Dull contributions piled o'er filthy trunks ? 

Our people are the church, its virtues shine 

Of theirs, in eminence, the work divine ; 

If they control their thoughts, their passion stay, 

Seek generous acts, and truth and love obey, — 

Strive for unhappy souls, who strewn about, 

Need home and friends, wrecked on the rabble rout ; 

The pallid widow left her mate to mourn, — 

The narrow orphan by remonstrance shorn. 

We build this church of justice, carve the right 
Along her battlements, whose heaven-born flight 
Defies the patience of the loftiest tower, 
Spurns history and dates from Virtue's hour ; 
27 



402 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Something that never feels the chill of death, 
No moth, no rust, that draws its lovely breath 
From groves of Palm, by Rivers of the Cross, 
Deliverance from alarm, beyond all loss. 
Such are our altars, these our flamens wear 
Across their hearts : Be good and true, be fair ! — 
Like some cold fountain to a traveler's taste, 
In his hot summer toil across the waste. 

Nor all unknown, for from this mount may flow 
Pure streams of thought, such as the gods allow. 
The youthful pilgrim with his pack unslung. 
From far Virginia's vales, unbind his tongue, 
And prove how love and beauty yet are clear 
In Wolcott's skies as to the Athenian year. 
And many a mirthful child shall eager hold 
The cheerful sermons from this pulpit rolled ; 
Tales that in all the households of the land 
Call up their " Little Women " to be grand. 
Let us believe, yea, may we oft declare, 
That round us lies a scene as rich, as fair, 
As that Boccacio dreamt, and Milton caught, 
When on its wings upsprung the verduous thought 
Of Paradise ; rare, because innocent, 
Fair, because true, — pledge of a people bent 
To make their problem clear, — self-government. 
• No gilded King betrays his hollow fate, 
The tattered symbol of a treacherous date ; 
No tax-built church compels us here to sign 
Thirty-six articles, or life resign. 
Here every man be, to himself, a state, — 
His own prerogative, his own debate. 
This land is ours, those heavens are our own, 
The rac« here blossoms more maturely grown ; 
We may not seek to live a down-trod life, 
Bring back mad Rome, or whet Napoleon's knife. 
Enough the grassy fields that round us lie, 
Enough the cheerful hill, dear Wolcott's eye, 
That by its lifting purities the air, 
And shows us blither to both sun and star. 

Child of the ancient Race ! who sailed with fate, 
Across cold ocean's vault not desolate, — 
Child of the blue-eyed Saxon ! here thy sire 
Built his warm hearth-stone, here lit up its fire. 
Never let us forget from whence we came, — 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 403 

From Shakespeare's fields, fanned by an English flame ; 

United by the past, yet one to-day, 

Fused in humanity's o'ermastering ray. 

Then may the people lift the song of praise, 

And ask the Lord to grant them length of days, 

To screen our church from madness and deceit, 

In virtue's strength each virtuous soul entreat. 

And in those future hours, when future years 

Build up, by hundreds, o'er our smiles and tears. 

Must never sin nor stain pollute this soil, 

Of peace the faithfulest, of love the oil ! 

When, in reading, Mr. Alcott came to the passage 
about Philander, he recited the old-fashioned ditty, 
"Come, Philander, let's be marching," to the great glee of 
the audience, many of whom had never heard it. There 
was great regret that Miss Alcott could not be present 
on such an interesting occasion, which was enjoyed to 
the utmost by those who participated in it. 

Names of persons who removed from Wolcott to 
Meriden, Conn., prepared by Mr. L. C. Hotchkiss. 

John Sutliff, in 18 19. Lucas C. Hotchkiss, in 1828. James 
H. Williams, in 1844. Junius Norton, Phineas Bradley, Abigail 
Hall, Levia Davidson, Esther E., wife of James Hough, in i860. 
Anson Sutliff, in 18 17 ; removed in 1857, and died in Minnesota, 
aged 59. Isaac Hotchkiss, in 1810; died in Bristol, aged 83, 
and was buried in Wolcott. Mary Hotchkiss, died in 1840, and 
was buried in Wolcott. Olive Ann Webb, in 1825; died in No- 
vember, 1855, aged 84. Emily Welton, in 1824; died in 1825; 
buried in Wolcott. Rufina Hotchkiss, in 183 1; died September, 
1850, aged 40. Lucy Hough, married T. T. Hubbard, in 1846, 
and died February 9th, 1855. Cornelia Hough, died 1856. 
Caroline Hough, married George Parker, and died in 1864. 
Statira Williams, in 1835 ; died August iSth, 1870, aged 73. 
Richmond Hall, jr., in 1840; died 1848, aged 45. Thomas 
Hotchkiss, in 1832; died in 1866, aged 56. Albert R Potter, in 
1830. Anson Williams, in 1842. Newell Minor, died 186 1. 
Leonora Downs, in 1864; died in 1870, aged 65; buried in 
Wolcott. Mary Ann Norton, in 1833 ; married Joel T. Butler in 
1835 ; died m Alabama in 1837. 



404 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

After recess, the meeting again assembled at two o'clock, 
and after opening exercises, Mr. Isaac Burritt, of Plants- 
ville, was introduced, and spoke as follows concerning 
the inhabitants of Southington who were natives of 
Wolcott : 

There was a handful of corn planted on the top of Wolcott 
Mountain, which after a brief growth was transplanted upon the 
sands of Southington. Of that seed and its fruitage I am to 
speak on this occasion. A man's birth-place, with all its ineradi- 
cable impressions upon both mind and heart, is an essential ele- 
ment in his history and character, and is recognized as such by 
the Lord, who says that " He shall count when he writeth up the 
people that this and that man was born there." The history of 
the world shows that the average man grows better upon the hills 
than the plains, and better still upon the mountains than the 
hills. As the springs gush out of the mountains and hillsides, 
with their pure and health-giving waters, to find their way down 
to the valleys, so there are continuous streams of people, with 
their pure morals, systematic economy, thrift, and well developed 
physical constitutions, flowing from the mountainous and hill 
countries to the cities to recover from corruption and degenera- 
tion the cities, without which " they would become like Sodom 
and be made like unto Gomorrah." 

The mountains have been in all ages the refuge and strong- 
hold of liberty and religion among men. The temple of the 
Lord, and the city of His chosen people, were builded upon a 
mountain, while the metropolis of sin and Satan was upon the 
plains. And in the future, as in the past, it is divinely declared, 
" The mountain of the Lord's house (the concentration of holy 
influences) shall be established upon the top of the mountains, 
and all people shall flow unto it." This (Wolcott) undoubtedly is 
the place, for it answers the description. There is also confirma- 
tory evidence as strong as holy writ, for it is written, "The last 
shall be first ;" and as Wolcott is the last town in the State, or 
will be, if emigration goes on, this must be the place so far as 
Connecticut is concerned. This being the case, it ought to in- 
crease the value of real estate here. 

The first name on the roll of honor, of grateful remembrance 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 405 

and obligation of the town of Southington to Wolcott, is that of 
Addin Lewis, who gave fifteen thousand dollars to found the 
Lewis Academy in that town, which has been a high school to a 
large part of its youth, including seven young men of the place 
now in the ministry. 

Statira Alcott, widow of Amos Shepherd, and three other young 
women of the age of nineteen, were married, removed to South- 
ington, and each had a son during the same year. Their hus- 
bands were accused, humorously, of stealing sheep in Wolcott, — 
and taking their pick, at that.* The progeny of these lambs 
are here to-day in large numbers, and I do not think they will 
" go back on " their fathers for that. Samuel Shepherd, Statira's 
son, is the owner of the extensive greenhouse and grounds at 
Plantsville; furnishing Southington and neighboring towns with 
flowers, plants, and shrubbery. Amos Shepherd, her son also, has 
fine mechanical genius, and is superintendent of the Peck, Stow, 
and Wilcox Company. James Shepherd, of Bristol, a third son, 
is an expert solicitor of patents at Washington. 

Rev. Henry E. Barnes, son of Ida Alcott, wife of Selah Barnes, 
an eloquent and able minister, and pastor of the Congregational 
church at Moline, Illinois. 

Romantha Carter, of gigantic frame, at present an invalid, but 
formerly of great physical power, "lifting up his axe against the thick 
trees." Theda Carter, wife of Salmon F. Clark, of large personal 
power and executive ability ; distinguished and valued for uniting 
puritanical convictions of religious duty with great geniality of 
spirit and manner, and for moulding her sons in the same like- 
ness. James Clark, her son, has demonstrated the possession of 
mechanical talents of a superior order. His massive machines 
reverse the Yankee maxim of thrift ; instead of " strike while the 
iron is hot," make it hot by striking. Delight Carter, wife of 
Deacon Edward Twitchell, in Jewish fashion, named by a forecast 

*It was stated by the author of this book, at the Hitchcock picnic, in 1S73, 
that it was not certain that the character of the young men of Southington 
was above reproach, for some of them did carry away, by night visits, some 
of the finest lambs of the Rev. Israel B. Woodward's flock, i. c, some of 
the young ladies of his parish, in about the year 1800. And the Rev. Mr. 
Keys, and other ministers, in after years, suffered in like manner. 



408 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT-. 

Luman Lewis has been for forty years the principal stone 
mason and mover of buildings in the town. He has raised up a 
large family of children of robust development. Two of his 
sons were volunteers in the late war. 

Ives Lewis has long been a blacksmith in the town. 

Bennet J. Lewis, son of Nathaniel Lewis, is postmaster in 
Marion. 

Simeon H. Norton, esq., was for ten years the first merchant and 
the first postmaster in Plantsville. For several years he was first se- 
lectman of the town ; has been member of the legislature, and for 
many years the acting -magistrate of the place. He has performed 
the difficult duties of that office in such a manner as to secure 
the confidence and approval of all classes. He is withal a clear 
and forcible writer. 

Julina Norton, wife of Prof. P>ailey, of Yale College, had great 
literary ability. 

Levi P. Norton has long been a leading merchant in Plants- 
ville ; has very good taste and judgment in dress and dry goods, 
and, being childless, has built his monument, better than marble, 
in a neat settlement of residences, west of the cemetery of 
Plantsville, now numbering eighteen, called Pine Park. 

Deacon Edward Twitchell learned his trade of Deacon Higgins. 
In active, protracted labor, and executive ability the master and 
apprentice were alike. Edward Twitchell had a well-balanced 
mind. He devoted his leisure hours to reading, obtaining much 
practical knowledge, of which he made good use in conversation 
and address. His habits were to work from twelve to fourteen 
hours a day in his tanyard, and to spend his evenings in visiting 
the sick and poor, and watching with them, and attending religious 
meetings. Soon after his apprenticeship, conversing with the 
speaker, he said : " I have looked over the fields of enterprise in 
life and concluded that the best way for me to serve God and be 
useful to my fellow men is to 'tan hides.'" His life of great 
usefulness and earnest godliness demonstrated the wisdom of his 
judgment. Joseph Twitchell, his son, fired with patriotism, left 
his studies, at the breaking out of the war, and was long a chaplain 
in the army. His fervid appeals did more to fill the quota of 
volunteers from Southington than any other agency. He is at 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 409 

present the well-known pastor of the Asylum Hill Church, of 
Hartford. Edward Twitchell, jr., inherited his father's name, 
business, and spirit — the last his best legacy. The business firm 
consists of Hon. H. D. Smith, son-in-law of Deacon Higgins, 
Edward Twitchell, and George Smith. It is but just to say of 
the firm, as it is of Wolcott parentage, that it gave ten thousand 
dollars toward the building of the Plantsville Congregational 
church. Sarah Jane Twitchell, his daughter, has long been a 
devoted and distinguished teacher of the children of the Freedmen 
of Atlanta, Ga. 

Dwight Twitchell, brother of Deacon Edward, learned his trade 
also of Deacon Higgins, and was long a member and jobber of 
the Stowe Manufacturing Company; now in a green old age of 
leisure, residing in a house lately erected, contrasting widely with 
his Wolcott origin. Mrs. Jennie Twitchell (Pultz), his daughter, 
is the gifted singer in the Plantsville choir. 

Burritt Parker, a cabinet and coffin maker by trade, and such 
a man ought to have many serious thoughts. 

Lucas Upson, long the leading merchant of Southington; 
honest and genial, and sagacious in business; selectman, a great 
politician, and the most popular candidate of his party. 

Jerry Upson. He does not belong to that class of so vinegar an 
aspect as would not deign to show their teeth by the semblance 
of a smile, though Nestor himself should say the jest were laugh- 
able. Jerry has a " merry heart, which doeth good like a 
medicine." The spirit is not catching, the more the pity. His 
only son gave his young life for the life of the country. 

Parlia Perkins, wife of Dr. Noah H. Byington, whose husband 
is a leading physician in Southington; she is very highly respected ; 
of pleasant disposition, and good judgment. 

Lucius Sutliff is a prominent joiner of the town; is highly 
esteemed, as also his sons, who occupy important positions in the 
community. 

Hopkins Upson, a merchant in partnership with his uncle 
several years, and an honorable citizen. 

Deacon Lucius Upson, of Plantsville church, has been school 
teacher, mechanic, clerk, and farmer. In him is illustrated how 
the mind can hold the body up, by genial love, Christian zeal, and 



4IO HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

ceaseless labor for the good of others. Elijah was a man of like 
passion and prayer, who shut up heaven by the space of three 
years and six months. 

"The place from whence such virtuous things proceed, is 
honored by the doers' deeds." 

May the Lord bless this old church and the town of Wolcott, 
while the sun and moon endure, for the sons and daughters they 
have given to Southington. 

The Hon. Elihu Burritt, of New Britain, made the 
Following- remarks : 

I am happy to be here to-day to enjoy the fellowship of all the 
interesting memories which this occasion revives. These com- 
memorations are full of deep and varied interest. And there is 
one circumstance about them that we are entitled to speak of 
with just complacency. These commemorations are, as far as I 
know, exclusively New England institutions. They show the 
best characteristics of the New England mind. They show that 
our hard-soiled and hilly towns have a history far longer than the 
lives of their oldest inhabitants — a history that we revere, a 
history reaching back in some cases to those perilous years when 
the red Indians of the country outnumbered the whites — a 
history of hardship, privation, of faith, patience, and patriotism — 
one long battle of life, in which our forefathers and foremothers 
acted their parts with a Christian heroism that makes us love their 
memories. There are a hundred small towns and villages in New 
England in which you may read the continuous record of a 
century or more on the grave-stones in their church-yards. Many 
of these church-yards are divided in the middle by a kind of 
equatorial line. On the one side you will see the old red sand- 
stone monuments that tell us that the men and women beneath 
lived and died subjects of the British crown, and called England 
"home," just as naturally, proudly, and fondly as Canadians and 
Australians now call our common motherland by that pleasant 
Saxon name. Then, side by side with these colonial graves, 
sometimes on the same stone, we may read the names of the first 
men of the village who died in the full right and title of citizens 
of a new-born nation. Both English fathers and their American 
sons were happy and true in their lives, and in their deaths they 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 41 I 

were not divided. No volume ever written unfolds the history of 
the two Englands — of the mother and daughter — so fully and 
impressively as any one of our grave-yards a hundred years old. 
And no stones in them should be more tenderly watched and 
cared for than those erected before the American Revolution. 
For what pages of our New England history are dearer to us than 
those that record the lives and characters of our pre-Revolutionary 
fathers and mothers. 

Now it is these foot-prints of our history, hidden by a brook, 
but seen on either side, that give these New England centenaries 
their peculiar interest. No one of our smallest towns, in all the 
centuries it is yet to see, will, I am sure, ever erase the foot-prints 
on the farther side of that brook, or seek to break or tarnish the 
hasp that connects its history with the history of that noble mother 
country which has begotten and nursed more free and glorious 
nations than all the other kingdoms of the world. And it is a fact 
worthy of mention on an occasion like this. There is not a town 
or village like this in New England which does not resemble Old 
England more fully than any great commonwealth or nation can 
do. The children that England has sent abroad to people all 
latitudes and climates with young and growing nations, far out- 
number, with their offspring, all her population at home. Not 
one of these young and scattered communities but remembers 
her and speaks of her with filial pride and affection. Now, is not 
this goodly old town, set upon these eternal hills, just such an- 
other Old England in these pleasant maternal relations? Has 
not Wolcott sent out as many families into the broad territory of 
this great Union as England has sent colonies into the distant 
continents and islands of the globe? Do not her children and her 
children's children, thus scattered abroad in widely sundered 
families, think of her and speak of her with the same filial senti- 
ments? 

This, then, to my mind, is the aspect and appreciation in which 
we should view the life and relations of any New England town 
as old as this, or younger still. It is not what it is and has been 
at home, but what it is, has been, and does abroad ; what ele- 
ments of social, moral, and political life it has contributed to 
other communities far and near; what men and women it has 



412 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

sent out to impart the vitality of their characters to other towns, 
and States, and to the nation at large. Its history, without in- 
cluding this vital department of its being and influence, would 
be like the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. Certainly this 
whole history of a town, the whole of its home life and outside 
life, should be passed in review on an occasion like this. And 
we have had some of these facts and aspects presented to us to- 
day. 

It is both a necessity and custom for great commercial and 
manufacturing corporations to take stock of their establishments 
at the end of the year, to see what they have sold or produced in 
that period, what they have gained, and what material they have 
on hand to begin a new year with. Well, it is equally fitting that 
every town, at the end of its century, should take stock — an in- 
ventory of its being, faculties, and influence ; of the men and 
women it has produced, in the hundred years, who have made 
their mark at home or abroad ; of the institutions it has estab- 
lished and sustained, and of the working material, the faculty, 
and the will it has for beginning a new century. I am sure that 
all the people of this town, and all who claim kindred with it, 
have good reason to be proud and happy at the inventory it pre- 
sents the world at the end of its first century. I am equally sure 
that the young generation here, who are to inherit the coming 
century, will remember this occasion, and resolve to make a his- 
tory in their day which their children's children will review with 
pride and gladness at the next centenary which Wolcott will cele- 
brate. 

I think that not one of our New England towns could make a 
contribution to the history of the country at large which would 
be so interesting, instructive, and valuable as the simple record of 
its men and women ; of the life it has lived at home, and the life 
and character it has sent abroad in a hundred years. I remem- 
ber well how deeply I was impressed with a few facts stated of 
another small, stony, hard-soiled Connecticut town. A distin- 
guished native of old Lebanon told me that that town had pro- 
duced five governors, and had given a full college education to 
seventy-two men for the ministry, and other learned professions, 
since its incorporation. What a record that to present to the 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 413 

world ! What faith and patience, what tireless industry and self- 
sacrificing frugality, are represented by these simple facts ! Think 
of a little community of farmers toiling on small and stony farms, 
and making them yield not only comfortable sustenance, clothing, 
and schooling for their children at home, but the means of giving 
a full classical education to seventy-two graduates of Yale Col- 
lege in the life-time of their town! How instructive and useful 
would the history of such New England towns be to the rich and 
fertile townships of our great West, who send agents to Lebanon 
and other small communities in New England, to solicit contri- 
butions for the support of Western Colleges ! 

We have seen what a record Wolcott has contributed to the 
history of our good old Connecticut, and the whole State may 
truly and proudly say, "•well done !" 

The following lines, written for the occasion by Amos 
M. Johnson, esq., of Wolcott, were* sung to the tune " New 
Jerusalem," C. M.: 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 

One hundred years have passed away, 

And memory now revives ; 
One hundred years are passed and gone ! 

This Church, — it still survives. 

One hundred years, — the greatest age 

That mortals ever knew ! 
One hundred years, — the wisest sage 

Will ever keep in view . 

What scenes the memory brings to view ! 

What wonders have been wrought ! 
How many souls been born anew, — 

Their God and Saviour sought. 

The fathers of this Church now rest, — 

In yonder graveyard lie ; 
Their spirits dwell among the blest, 

In bliss, beyond the sky . 

One hundred years, — how great the sum, 

And yet how quickly sped ! 
One hundred years, the next to come, 

Will find us with the dead. 



414 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Then let us live with Heaven and Hell 

And Death before our eyes ! 
One Hundred years, — we then shall dwell 

In glory 'hove the skies. 

Mr. Orcutt again exhibited "antiquities." Among 
them was a pair of high-heeled slippers worn by a Wol- 
cott lady at the commencement ball of Yale College. 
The sword of Captain John Allcock, presented to him 
by George III, and now in the hands of a grandson, was 
shown by A. Bronson Alcott, who gave an interesting 
account of the high uses to which it had been put by his 
patriot ancestor. A large fan over one hundred years 
old was exhibited, which, in size and appearance, resem- 
bles the fans just coming into use. A musket made in 
London, and carried in the French war by David Welton, 
of Wolcott, was exhibited. Mr. George Pratt, of South- 
ington, stated a family tradition that this musket was 
once so skillfully used that it "brought down" in 
succession three British officers. 

The Rev. Mr. Upson read a list of the deacons of the 
church in Wolcott from the beginning. Mr. Isaac Bronson, 
of Bristol, a descendant of one of the first deacons of the 
church, followed with some remarks. He gave interest- 
ing traditions of the Bronson family. A diary of Deacon 
Isaac Bronson, which had been preserved, was shown 
and extracts from it read by Deacon Samuel Holmes. 
Deacon Holmes read a hymn composed by Deacon 
Bronson on the death of Washington, and which was 
sung in the church at the time. Rev. A. C. Beach added 
some recollections of Deacon Bronson, who was an old 
man when he was pastor here, and he pronounced him 
one of the noblest men he ever knew. These allusions 
to Deacon Bronson brought A. Bronson Alcott to his 
feet again, who referred to the Deacon's efficiency as a 
church officer at a time the church was without a pastor. 
He was peculiarly gifted in prayer, and impressed every 
one with his deep sincerity and nearness to God. His 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 415 

counsels and prayers were sought by the sick and afflicted. 
No man ever lived in Wolcott with such natural gifts as 
he, and had he been favored with a liberal education, he 
would have equaled any of the great men this State has 
produced. 

Judge W. E. Curtis, of New York, was introduced, and 
very tenderly alluded to a former pastor, Rev. Mr. 
Woodward. He held in his hand a small volume of 
poems by William Maxwell, esq., of Norfolk, Va. Mr. 
Maxwell, seventy years ago, was an inmate of Mr. 
Woodward's family, and by him prepared for college. 
Upon hearing of his instructor's death, he composed a 
poem upon " Wolcott," which is contained in this vol- 
ume. Judge Curtis read extracts from the poem. A 
general desire was expressed to have the poem published 
in an account of the proceedings. 

A. Bronson Alcott was again called for to give an ac- 
count of his cousin Wra. A. Alcott, M. D., and widely 
known in our country as a teacher and author. He said 
that although cousins, they were more like brothers. 
They were much together in younger years, and helped 
one another in their literary course. Dr. Alcott has done 
more for primary education than any other person. He 
was very successful as a teacher and author. It is said 
that he wrote over one hundred books, and also edited 
three different journals. He was a "vegetarian," and for 
many years tasted no meat. Mr. Alcott, before closing, 
alluded very modestly to his own family, among whom 
is the celebrated authoress of " Little Women." This al- 
lusion awakened the people, who listened with " erect 
ears " to all that was said of their favorite authoress. 

The Rev. Wm. P. Alcott, of Greenwich, and son of 
Dr. W. A. Alcott, having been called for, arose and gave 
some facts concerning the family. His grandfather, 
John Bronson, was a man of extraordinary strength and 
endurance. At eighty he challenged the young men of 
Wolcott to engage in a " mowing match " with him for a 



416 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

day, but none of the young yeomanry were bold enough 
to accept the challege. The lesson that Mr. Alcott 
would impress, was what could be accomplished by 
work. The sons of Wolcott had achieved all honor and 
influence by hard work. He mentioned that his father 
learned arithmetic at night, holding the slate on his left 
arm and candle (the candlestick being a potato) in 
his left hand. Under great difficulties he attained his 
final eminence. 

The next speaker was George W. Seward, esq., of 
New York, only surviving brother of the late Secretary 
Seward. A branch of the Seward family lived in Wol- 
cott, and among the earliest settlers was Amos Seward, 
who is held in fragrant memory. Mr. Seward began by 
thanking the good people of Wolcott for the generous 
hospitality that had been extended to him since he came 
amongthem. He entered into some of the details of 
the family history. Without speaking of his immediate 
family, he related some facts concerning his ancestors 
who were prominent in the revolutionary war. His 
grandfather was Col. John Seward, of Morristown, N. J. 
Col. Seward was not only a patriot, but one of the most 
active of patriots. He made himself felt as a power on 
the side of the colonies, and feared by tories. Several 
anecdotes of his skill as a marksman, and acts as a 
soldier, were given. 

As a general desire had been expressed to hear some- 
thing about his brother, the late Secretary Seward, he 
gave two interesting facts. When Mr. Seward was Gov- 
ernor of New York, in 1839, ^ e was invited, in connec- 
tion with President Van Buren, to attend a Sabbath 
school celebration on Staten Island. He addressed 
them, and in the course of his remarks said, that great 
wealth, education, and talents, even in this country, 
tended to aristocratical views and feelings, and were preju- 
dicial to the interests and well being of the masses. And 
the counteracting agency was to be found in the Sunday 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 417 

schools of the day. These are the great leveling agen- 
cies which are to educate the masses and fit them for 
citizens and voters, and to hold the institutions of the 
country and a free government in perpetuity. By some 
these sentiments were considered the noblest the Gov- 
ernor ever uttered during his long and eventful career. 
Another fact. The ex-Secretary, seated in the parlor 
with some friends, and talking of incidents during the 
war, stated that shortly after the Mason and Slidell ar- 
rest, he received a confidential communication from 
Louis Napoleon, in which was expressed personal respect 
for the Secretary, as a statesman, but that he (the Em- 
peror) must bow to the will of the French people, and 
recognize the confederacy, and declare war in its behalf. 
The same day this letter was received, a reply was sent 
to the Emperor, telling him, in substance, to keep hands 
off, — that we neither asked for nor would permit inter- 
ference on the part of any European government, — and 
should he recognize the Confederacy, and send troops to 
this country, we would emancipate the slaves, and 
before this Union would submit to a slave government, 
we would put arms into the hands of the slaves, and 
doom the Southern States to devastation and ruin. Some 
friends were at once sent to England and France to 
maintain our cause, and it only cost us $7,000. 

The Rev. Henry Upson was the next speaker, and 
gave recollections of his childhood here. 

Deacon Samuel Holmes, of Montelair, N. [., was now 
called out, and before he took his seat showed himself 
what all before knew, — that he was a prince among dea- 
cons. He urged with great practical effect that the peo- 
ple should at once establish a town library, and offered 
fifty dollars for the purpose. This generous offer was at 
once responded to by others, until two hundred and fifty 
dollars were subscribed. 

While the subscription to the library was in progress* 
28 



41 8 HISTORY OF W'OLCOTT. 

Rev. Mr. Hillard, of Plymouth Center, was called on 
and spoke as follows : 

Mr. Chairman: — I consent to speak, on one condition only, 
and that is that the subscription to the library shall go forward 
without interruption. That is of more consequence than talk. 
The library ought to be secured, and now is the time to secure it. 
So much butter at least ought to come of this two day's stirring 
of the cream. So let the subscription go right on. My estimate 
of that is about what the boy's was, on a certain occasion, of a 
collection. Three boys, the story goes, not much accustomed to 
religious services, strolled, one day, into a meeting, where, 
besides the usual exercises of prayer and song, a collection was 
taken up. On leaving the meeting they went off sailing together, 
and a squall coming up, and the case looking desperate, Jim, the 
leader .of the crew, felt that they must have help. Turning to 
his companions, who were shivering with fright, he inquired, 
"John, can you pray?" "No," was the answer, '"not here." 
"Joe, can you sing?" "No, not now." "Well," was Jim's con- 
clusion, "something religious has got to be done right off; we'll 
take up a collection." So, in my opinion, one of the most 
religious things that we can do just here and now is to take up 
a collection. 

I have been greatly interested in the exercises of this centennial. 
My heart has gone out in thorough sympathy with all your pride 
and joy. It has almost seemed to me that I had a personal 
share in it. You remember the affecting passage in Mark 
Twain's " Innocents Abroad," in which he describes his feelings 
on being shown, in his travels, the grave of Adam. It overwhelmed 
him, he says, with emotion, to come, in that far off land, upon the 
grave of a blood relation. So, though not myself born here, I 
somehow feel as though those who have been born here were my 
blood relatives, and so have been interested in their histories. 
[Question from the crowd, " Don't you wish you had been born 
here?"] Some one asks if I do not wisji I had been born here. 
No, I do not ; for I do not believe in a man's going back on his 
mother, and so I am not going back on old Preston, the town 
where I was born, even for the sake of being born in Wolcott. 
Put I will tell you how near I come to wishing I had been born 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 419 

in Wolcott. You recollect that Mrs. Jarley in the exhibition, in 
her wax works, of those miracles of art, the Siamese Twins, in- 
forms her audience that they were born, one on Cape Cod, and 
the other on the Island of Borneo. Now, since being here these 
two days, and listening to all that Wolcott has been and done, 
though glad that I myself was born in Preston, I have wished that 
instead of being born a single child, and so limited to a single 
birth-place, I had been born a twin, and that my twin brother had 
been born in Wolcott. 

But though missing thus myself the honor of being born in 
Wolcott. I have become convinced that it must have been here 
that a certain distinguished character of history was born. I 
refer to the. Roman Emperor Marcus Antoninus. I am not quite 
sure in my dates — this always was a weakness with me — but if 
I get muddled some one of the learned gentlemen here present 
can set me right. I am not sure about the dates, but I am con- 
fident, from internal evidence, that Antoninus, the Roman Emperor, 
was born on Wolcott Hill. And the ground of my confidence is 
this: In a passage in his "Meditations," weary of the littleness 
and meanness of life around him, and challenging to life high and 
noble, he exclaims, "Live as on a mountain;" and while listening 
to Mr. Alcott and others as they have entertained and instructed 
and inspired us with reminiscences of the fathers of Wolcott, I 
have said to myself, " It was from life here on Wolcott Hill that 
Marcus Antoninus got his idea." I am confident of it, and if those 
inveterate liars, the dates, deny this, I have only to say that if he 
wasn't born here, it would have been wisdom in his head if he had 
been. 

But soberly, it seems to me a grand thing to have been born in 
Wolcott. We do not, in our fast and pretentious time, appreciate 
as we should these old hill-towns of New England. Why, here 
are the head-springs of all her greatness. Just as the streams 
which furnish the power in the valleys head on these hills, so the 
intelligence and strength and energy of manhood, which makes 
the villages and cities, come from these hill-parishes. Not more 
is the rich soil that forms the valley meadows washed from these 
rocky hills, than is the society which constitutes the valley com- 
munities the contributions of these hill-towns. Without this 



420 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

supply those communities would soon become extinct. As 
physicians tell us that were it not for the ever fresh supply of 
healthy men and women from the country, the cities would soon 
become depopulated, and a desert waste, — so were it not for the 
fresh supplies of intelligence and character and energy trained 
on these hills, the valley communities would soon lose their 
importance and power. When I was down at Block Island this 
Summer, a government vessel was at work there clearing out the 
rocks from the harbor bottom. The man who did the work, or 
seemed to, was the diver, who, in his armor, went down into the 
water and made fast the grappling chains. On him was concen- 
trated all the attention. But there was another man, not much 
noticed, who attracted my attention. He remained on deck and 
steadily turned a crank. That crank worked an air-pump, and 
from that pump a tube went down into the water and supplied 
the diver with fresh air for his work. How long do you think the 
diver down there under water would have gone on with his work 
if the man at the air-pump had ceased to turn the crank ? So, 
though the valley communities seem to do the work, and so get 
the credit of it, it is these hill-parishes that pump down the fresh 
air to them, and keep them alive. Very quickly would come the 
end of their history if you were to- stop turning the crank. It is 
with the hill-parishes of New England as it was with the hill- 
fortresses of Palestine. You recollect the passage in the Old 
Testament which records the discomfiture of the Syrians in their 
attack on one of those forts : and you recollect the explanation 
of that discomfiture by the Syrians : " Their gods are gods of the 
hills ; therefore they were stronger than we, but let us fight against 
them on the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they." 
So the gods of New England's strength and greatness have ever 
been gods of the hills, — and this of spiritual as of physical strength. 
Here, in these hill-parishes, have headed the spiritual streams that 
in their flowing forth have blessed the world. From Torringford 
Hill, from the parsonage of old Father Mills, flowed the stream 
of American missions. So take any chapter of New England's 
spiritual greatness and power, and you will find the sources of it 
largely here. Here head the rivers, the streams whereof make 
glad the city of God. 



THE CENTENARY MEETING. 421 

You, then, whose lot is cast here in Wolcott, whose destiny it 
is to remain here, count it no mean destiny. You may so improve 
it that there shall be none nobler. Remember the answer of the 
Down-East Yankee to the contemptuous inquiry suggested by the 
rocks and ice, "What they raised there;" "We raise men!" It is 
a good place, a grand place, here on these rocky hills to raise men. 
Here, bless God, this has not yet come to be one of the lost arts. 
In these old parishes children are yet born, and of all crops this is 
the noblest. Given the man, and you have given all things. 
Raise the children, then; train them up for manhood and woman- 
hood; train them up for God; send them out healthy, strong, 
noble, pure, upright, God-fearing, and God-serving, to bless the 
world, and you will not have lived in vain. Remember the 
decision of David in the case of the brook Besor. Part of the 
company, you remember, did not cross the brook ; were too faint 
to pursue and "tarried by the stuff." Their pursuing and victo- 
rious companions, returned from the victory, refused them a share 
in the spoils. But David reversed their decision, and made it a 
law forever, "As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so 
shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff; they shall part alike." 
It is the law of God's Kingdom. Be faithful, and you shall find 
it the law of your reward. " They also serve who only stand and 
wait." 

Then, next to the children, there are the aged. Towards 
these hill-parishes our hearts are ever turning, because " here's 
where the old folks stay." The old folks, God bless them ! — .the 
old fathers and mothers, and grandfathers and grandmothers, here 
is where they stay, — sending their children out to influence, and 
wealth, and power, while they remain, quiet and unknown. Boys, 
girls, count it not a hardship to stay by the old folks. Count not 
life so devoted lost. God has a blessing for those who honor 
father and mother when they are old. Again I say, God bless 
them ! we owe all to them. Boys, you will never lose anything 
by staying by them while they stay here below ; and you, girls, 
when somebody, one of these days, asks you if he may have you, 
tell him, "Yes, if he'll take the old folks with you." 

And now these festivities are at an end and we must disperse. 
You, people of Wolcott, who are to remain, life may seem to you 



422 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

lonely when the occasion is over and the friends from abroad 
whom you are proud of, and whose presence has given you joy 
are gone, and you settle back to the old, plain, common life of 
Wolcott. But suffer no reaction of sadness. Rather look on to the 
higher festival, the heavenly home-coming, of which this is but a 
symbol, when all the history of your lives with all their outcome 
shall be made up before God. The morning succeeding the night 
of the Transfiguration seemed, doubtless, to the disciples who had 
been with Jesus on the mount, plain and lonely with its contrast of 
earthly plainness with the heavenly glory. But beyond was the 
Mount of Ascension, and to it, across the intervening valley, the 
Mount of Transfiguration looked. So, across your remaining life 
on earth, plain and lonely though to the earthly view it may be, 
there waits for you the glory of your eternal reward, when the 
King shall say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, you have been 
faithful in a few things, enter into the joy of your Lord." Keep 
this prospect clear by faith before you, and may it ever strengthen 
your hearts. 

After one or two more brief addresses, a vote of thanks 
to the citizens for hospitality was passed, and the hymn 

"Blessed be the tie that binds 
Our hearts in Christian love ; 
The fellowship of kindred minds 
Is like to that above," 

was sung, with the sense as well as the sound, and the 
benediction pronounced by Rev. A. C. Beach. At the 
close a number of persons came to the platform to obtain 
each one flower from the beautiful collection placed 
there by Mr Shepherd, of Southington. They wanted 
"just one flower" to carry to their distant homes, — 
Kansas and elsewhere, — as a memento of this centenary 
meeting. 



GENEALOGIES. 



ALCOTT. 

ALCOCKE, ALCOCK, ALCOCKS, ALCOX. 

This name is spelled Alcock in English history. As a surname 
it was established, by authority of the king, about the year 1 6 1 6, 
by the granting of a "coat of arms," and according to the law 
established by King Henry Third, about 1250, was inherited by 
all descendants of the family. The full development of the 
"Science of Arms" occurred during the " Holy Wars," or the 
"Crusades," and hence most of these insignia, date back, only, 
to that period, and from this fact, these signs bear a decidedly 
religious character. On the Alcock shield is "Fesse; emblematic 
of the military girdle worn around the body, over the armour ;" 
three heads of the cock, emblematic of watchfulness. From this 
shield and crest we learn that the peculiar characteristic for which 
this family was honored as soldiers, was watchfulness. 

The name was spelled Alcock in this country, until about 
1770, when the spelling was changed to Alcox, and also Allcox. 
This was the spelling on all records, as well as in the family, until 
1820 to 1825, when by the proposition of Dr. William A., and 
A. Bronson Alcott, it was, by common consent, not by legisla- 
tive enactment, changed to Alcott. and in this form has become 
world-renowned.* 

I THOMAS. I — FIRST GENERATION. 

Thomas Alcock, the progenitor of all bearing the name in 
Connecticut, came from England in Winthrop's company, in T630, 



*Mr. Savage tells us that this name was written Alcott by some of the 
family in the early records of Massachusetts. 

f John Alcock was born at Beverly, Yorkshire. England, and was Bishop 
of Rochester, Worcester, and Ely, in the time of Henry VII.; also Lord 
Chancellor of England. Me founded Jesus College, Cambridge, and was 
distinguished in his day for learning and piety. He died October 1. 1500, 
and was buried in a sumptuous tomb of his own designing in Ely Cathedral. 



426 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

with his brother George.* In the covenant of the First church of 
Boston, dated at Charlestown, August 27, 1638, Thomas Alcock 
stands forty sixth on the list of original members. " Ano. 8:7: 
1639, our brother Thomas Alcock and sister Margary were 
recommended to Dedham," where he settled. He afterwards 
removed to Boston, where he died, September 14, 1657. His 
widow, Margary, married John Benham, of New Haven, to which 
place she removed about 1660, where she died. 

Children: 2 Mary, bapt Nov. 3, 1635, d 1644; 3 Elizabeth. 
bapt Dec. 10, 1637, d same year ; 4 Elizabeth, b Oct. 4, 1638, m 
May 6, 1656, Joseph Soper of Boston; 5 Sarah, b Dec. 28, 1639; 
6 Hannah, b May 25, 1642; 7 Mary, b June 8, 1644, m Sept. 
27, 1664, James Robinson of Dorchester, d March 13, 17 18; 8 
Rebecca, b 1646 ; 9 Phillip, b 1648 ; 10 John, b in Boston, May 6, 
165 1, m Constance, daughter of Humphrey Milam of Boston, 
where he died before 171 2. He had two sons and six daughters. 

9 PHILLIP. SECOND GENERATION. 

Phillip Alcock, son of Thomas and Margary Alcock, was 
born in Dedham, Mass, and removed to New Haven with his 
mother. He married, Dec. 5, 1672, Elizabeth, only daughter of 
Thomas Mitchell. He married at Wethersfield his second wife, 
April 4, 1699, Sarah, widow of Nathaniel Butler. He had large 
landed estates, besides his home lot in New Haven, on the 
North side of what is now George Street, between College and 
Temple streets, adjoining the Beecher family property. He died 
in 17 16, ae. 68. 

Children: n John, b July 14, 1675; 12 Thomas, b 1677, m 
Mary Gedney, and a second wife Abigail Austin; 13 Elizabeth, 

b Feb. 6, 1679, m Gray; 14 Phillip, b Nov. 19, 1681 ; 15 

Agnes, b 1683, m Harrison. 

IT JOHN. THIRD GENERATION. 

John Alcock, son of Phillip and Elizabeth [Mitchell] Alcock, 
of New Haven, married Susanna , and lived on the pater- 
nal estate in New Haven, owning land at East Haven, Walling- 



* George Alcock settled at Roxbury, Mass., where he was a deacon of the 
church, and an important man in the colony. 



GENEALOGIES. 427 

ford, and elsewhere. He died March, 1722. ae. 47 ; his wife died 
in 1737. 

Children: 16 Abigail, who married, Jan. 6, 1736, Caleb 
Thomas of New Haven, d Feb. 23, 1793, ae. 73; 17 John, b Jan. 
14, 1705, settled in Waterbury ; 18 Elizabeth, b July 13, 1708, m 
Samuel Humiston of New Haven; 19 Sarah, b Aug. 12, 17 11, m 
John Ailing of New Haven; 20 Stephen, b Aug. 10, 1714, m 
Abigail Humiston of New Haven, and lived at Amity, now 
Woodbridge ; z\ Mary, b Aug: 10, 17 17, m Daniel Lines of New 
Haven. 

17 JOHN. FOURTH GENERATION. 

John Alcock, son of John and Susanna Alcock of New Haven, 
was married, Jan. 14. 1729 or 30, by Rev. Isaac Stiles of North 
Haven, to Deborah, daughter of Isaac Blakeslee of North Haven. 
In 1 73 1 he removed to Waterbury, bringing his wife and infant 
child, Lydia, and settled on Spindle Hill, Wolcott. He died Jan. 
6, 1777, ae. 71'; his wife died Jan. 7, 1789. ae. 77. (See Biog. 
P- 231.) 

Children: 22 Lydia, b Nov. 24, 1730. m Isaac Blakeslee of 
North Haven, where she resided, d Nov. 15. 1796, ae. 66; 23 
John, b Dec. 28, 1731 ; 24 James, b June 1, 1734 ; 25 Jesse, b 
March 23, 1736; 26 Daniel,b March 25, 1738; 27 David, b Jan. 
12, 1740; 28 Deborah, b 1741, married 1st, Isaac Twitchell. 
2d, Wait Hotchkiss, and settled near the "Mill Place" in Wol- 
cott, d June 18, 183 1, ae. 89 ; 29 Mary, b 1744, m June 28, 1763. 
Obed Bradley of North Haven, where she settled. She d March 
1825, ae. 81; 50 Thankful, b 1748, m Thaddeus Baldwin of 
Plymouth, Conn., where she lived, and d March 1, 1839, ae. 90; 
31 Hannah, b 1 75 1, m Joel Norton of Bristol, where she lived, 
and d March 1, 182 1, ae. 70; 32 Anna, m Abel Curtiss of Wol- 
cott, lived near the "Mill Place," d Feb. 5, 1822 ; 33- Stephen, d 
young. 

21, JOHN, JR. — FIFTH GENERATION. 

Capt. John Alcox, son of John and Deborah (Blakeslee) 
Alcock, was born in Waterbury (Wolcott), in the year his father 
settled on Spindle Hill. He married, Aug. 28, 1755, Mary, the 
daughter of Solomon Chatfield of Derby, Conn. He built a 
house on Spindle Hill, near his father's, where Almon Alcott now 



428 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

(1873) resides ; and where he (John) died Sept. 27, 1808, ae. 77 ; 
Mary, his wife, died Feb. 28, 1807, ae. 71. (See Biog. p. 233.) 
Children: 34 Lydia, b Dec. 8, 1756, m 1st, Charles Frisbie, 
2d, Capt. Nathaniel Lewis, both of Wolcott, d Sept. 23, 183 1, ae. 
74; 35 Solomon, b May 8, 1759 ; 36 Samuel, b Nov. 29, 1761 ; 37 
John Blakeslee, b June 24, 1764; 38 Mary, b Sept. 8, 1766, d 
Feb. 18, 1770; 39 Isaac, b April 12, 1769; 40 Joseph Chatfield, 
b May 7, 1771; 41 Mark, b May 11, 1773; 42 Thomas, b Oct. 
16, t 775, d April 27, 1778. 

24 JAMES, 1ST. 

James Alcox, son of John and Deborah (Blakeslee) Alcock, 
married Hannah Barnes, and settled a mile northeast of the old 
homestead, where his grandson, James, now (1873) resides. His 
house was built in the Autumn of 1774, and he moved into it 
while the carpenters were at work upon it. On the 5th of Decem- 
ber following, his son James was born. Three weeks from that 
da)- the house took fire in the night and was consumed. Strangled 
by the smoke, he awoke, and began some efforts to save the 
house. His wife, who had not been out of the house during her 
illness, tried to raise the window, but this could not be done, it 
being new. She then broke the window with her hands, and gave 
the baby to his sister outside, and she crept out, the window con- 
sisting of only four panes of glass, and went to the neighbors, with 
no apparel except her night clothes, her hands bleeding by the 
way from cuts by the glass. Nothing was saved from the house 
but the members of the family. In nine days the frame of a new 
one was raised, and it is still standing. People came from far and 
near to help build this house ; some coming over fifteen miles. 
He resided in this house until his death, Aug. 9, 1806, ae. 72. 

Children : 43 Obedience, m John J. Kenea ; 44 Rosanna, m 
John Frisbie, d Aug. 18, 1830; 45 Meliscent, m Nathaniel Lane, 
1793, d in Wolcott, ae. 88; 46 James, b Dec. 5, 1774; 47 Mehitable 
m James Bradley; 48 Lois, bapt April 2, 1780, m John Smith . 
49 Diadama, bapt July 14, 1782, m Joshua Minor of Wolcott ; 50 
Hannah, m Osman Norton; 51 Livia, bapt Oct. 29, 1786, m 
Edward Goodyear; 52 Rhoda, bapt Dec. 6, 1789, m Lewis 
San ford. 



GENEALOGIES. 429 

25 JESSE. 

J.ESSE Ai.cox, son of John and Deborah (Blakeslee) Alcock, 
married Patience Blakeslee. and settled in the northeast part of 
Wolcott. He died October 29, 1829, ae. 74. His widow. 
Patience, married Zechariah Hitchcock, and died 1840, ae. 97. 

Children: 53 Sarah, m David Churchill; 54 Lyman, d Nov. 17, 
1781, ae. 16; 55 Susan, m John Beecher, and d Nov. 3, 1836. 
ae. 69; 56 Jesse, m Lucy Minor, June 16, 1791, d July 6, 1814; 
57 Joel, m Elizabeth Johnson; 58 Hannah, m Daniel Byington ; 
59 C/i/oe, bapt Dec. 7, t 783, m Salmon Shelley: 60 Ithamer, d 
Aug. 9, 1798, ae. 3. 

26 DANIEL. 

Daniel Ai.cox, son of John and Deborah (Blakeslee) Alcock, 
married Elizabeth Dutton. He settled first, in Wolcott Center ; 
and afterwards removed to Colebrook, where he died, May 24, 
1805, ae. 67. 

Children: 61 Asa, m Sabra Plumb; 62 Daniel; 63 Samuel; 
64 Joseph; 65 Benjamin, m Chloe Norton; 66 Elizabeth; 67 

Mary, m Darrow; 68 Benoni ; 69 Susanna, m Abram Tut- 

tle : 70 t 'rami, m William Burr. 

27 DAVID. 

David Alcox, son of John and Deborah (Blakeslee) Alcock, 
married, Jul}- 5, 1767. Abigail Johnson. She died Feb. 5, 170:;. 
ae. 53. He married 2d, Sarah Pratt, Feb. 5. 1795. He lived on 
the old homestead, and died there Jan. 29, 182 1, ae. Si. 

Children: 71 Amy, b Sept. 16, 1768, d May 5. 1830, ae. 62; 
72 Abigail, b Dec. 14, 1770, m Aug. 26, 1793, Asahel Lane; 73 
DiiT'ic/, b April 10. 1774, m Anna Fenn ; 74 Obed, b Sept. 8. 
1776. m July 13, 1797, Abigail Andrews, d Aug. 8. 1847. ae. 71 ; 
7^ Eldad, ami 76 Medad, twins, b Sept. 14, 1779 : 77 Eunice, b 
Oct. 17, 1782,111 April 24. 1806, Archibald Mosher ; 78 Deborah. 
b Nov. 25, 1784. m ist. Feb. 18. 1808, Isaac Minor. 2d, Lorin 
Fancher, March 4, 1820. 

35 SOLOMON.- — SIXTH GENERATION. 

Solomon Alcox, son of (.'apt. John and Mary (Chatfield) 
Alcox, married ist. Pamelia Roberts. 2d. widow Abigail Good- 



430 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

year, both of Wolcott. He lived near " Potucco's Ring," near 
his father's, and died May 21, 1818, ae. 59; his wife, Pamelia, 
died Aug. 20, 18 10, ae. 49. 

Children: 79 Lydia, m and d in Ohio; 80 Hannah, m 1st, 
Richard Withington of Bucks Hill, and 2d, Capt. Gates Upson of 
Wolcott; 81 Seth, d in Ohio; 82 Solomon, d in childhood; 83 
Leonard, d near Cleveland, O., where Seth resided in 1857. 

36 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Alcox, son of Capt. John and Mary (Chatfield) Alcox, 
married Lydia Warner of Bucks Hill. He died at the Mill 
Place, on Mad River, June 9. 18 19, ae. 49 ; his wife, Lydia, died 
May 2, 1848, ae. 82. 

Children: 84/airus, m Sarah W. Warner of Waterbury and d in 
Western New York; 85 Mary, m Isaac Hotchkiss of Wolcott, d 
Dec, 1840; 86 C/eora, d Feb. 16, 1826, ae. ^; 87 S/afira, m 
Oct. 4, 18 1 9, Amos Shepherd of Southington; 88 Candace, m 
George Griswold, and moved to Iowa, thence to Washington 
Territory, where she now resides. 

37 JOHN BLAKESLEE. 

John B. Alcox, son of Capt. John and Mary (Chatfield) Alcox, 
married Lois Gaylord of Wolcott, and resided near his father's 
homestead, on Clinton Hill. He died Sept. 17, 1837, ae. 73; 
Lois, his wife, died April 7, 1839, ae. 70. 

Children : 89 Riley, m 1st, Ruth Frisbie, 2d, Olive Warner, 
settled in Waterbury, and d there, May 21, 1857, ae. 74; 90 
A In/on, b Feb. 22, 1790, and is still living; 91 Jedediah G., b 
June 24, 1793; d May, 1872. 

39 ISAAC. 

Isaac Alcox, son of Capt. John and Mary (Chatfield) Alcox, 
married Isabel Lane of Wolcott, sister to Mary, the wife of Mark 
Alcox, his brother. He lived at East Church Parish, near 
Terryville, in Plymouth, where he died Sept. 12, 1809, ae. 40. 

Child: 92, he had an only child which died an infant. 

40 JOSEPH CHATFIELD. 

Joseph C. Alcox, son of Capt. John and Mary (Chatfield) 
Alcox, married, Oct. 13, 1796, Anna, daughter of Capt. Amos 



GENEALOGIES. }^i 

Bronson of Plymouth, and sister of Rev. Tillotson Bronson, L). D., 

Rector of St. John's church in Waterbury. Joseph first lived near 
"Potucco's Ring." but in 1805 he settled near his brother, |ohn 
Blakeslee, at Clinton Hill, or New Connecticut, the highest land 
in Spindle Hill district. He died April 3, 1829. ae. 58 ; his 
widow. Ann;), died at West Edmeston, \. \ .. Aug. 1^. iSi'i-. 
ae. 90. 

Children: 93 Betsey, 1> April 4, 1798. d Nov. 5. 179S ; 94 Autos 
Bronson, b Xo\ r . 29. 1799: 95 Chatjield. 1> Oct. 23, 1801 ; 96 
Pamelia, and 97 I 'ami/a, 1> Feb. 4. 1S05. Pamelia m James 
Bailey of Wolcott, moved to Pennsylvania, and d Feb. 1 1. 1849. 
Pamila m Ransom Gaylord of Bristol, went to Stockbridge, N. Y., 
and d June 14. 1833; 98 Betsey, b Feb. 14. 1S08. m Linus Par- 
dee of Wolcott, and removed to West Edmeston, near ( )riskany 
Falls, N. Y.; 99 Phebe, b Feb. iS, 1810, m William Norton of 
Wolcott, lived on the family homestead, where she d July 28, 
1844, ae. 34; 100 George, b March 26, 1812, d July 10, 1812; 
101 Junius, b July 6, 1818, m Nancy Jane Pritchard ol Litchfield, 
Conn., lived at Oriskany Falls, N. Y., and d April 16. 1852, ae. 
34 ; ro2 Ambrose, b Sept. 10, 1820, m Anna V. L'pson of Wolcott, 
and resided at Plantsville, in Southington, and removed thence to 
Fair Haven. 

41 MARK. 

Mark AlcOX, son of Capt. John and Mary (Chatfield) Alcox, 
married Mary Lane of Wolcott, in 1795. He lived on his father's 
homestead several years, then settled near James Alcott's. where 
his son Thomas resided many years. In winter he engaged 
largely in the manufacturing of clock cords. He d Nov. 21. 1846 
ae. 74; she d Oct. 8. 1834, ae. 61. 

Children: 103 A/ma, and 104 Amanda, twins, d in infancy; 
105 Thomas, never married. He lived on his father's homestead 
and died at his sister Salina's home, Oct. 30, 1872, ae. 73. He 
traveled in the Southern States, mostly' in Yirginia and the Caro- 
linas, over twenty years, selling various articles of merchandise. 
It was Thomas and Amos B. Alcott who bought broadcloth suits 
with ruffled shirts, in Broadway, New York, on their first return 
from the south. This was the last fancy "rig" Thomas ever put 
on. 106 Emily, m Amos Newton; 107 A /bin, m Chloe Finch, 



432 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

d December, 1871 ; 108 Salina, b Aug. 12, 1807, m James Alcott,. 
3d, of Wolcott; 109 Isaac, m 1st, Mary Farnesworth, 2d, Clarissa 
Higby, and lived at Plainville, Conn.; no A//uira, m Thomas 
Matthews, and resides in Hopeville, Waterbury, and has sons, 
George and Isaac. 

46 JAMES, 2D. 

James Alcox, son of James and Hannah (Barnes) Alcox, 
married Esther Castle, Jan. 8, 1800. She died March 6, 186 1, 
ae. 85 ; he died May 30, 1862, ae. 87. 

Children: in Lucius, b Jan. 24, 1801 ; 112 Lois, b July 9, 
1805, m Ansel H. Plumb; 113 Infant, b Feb. 27, 1807, d young;. 
114 James, b May 18, 1809; 115 Phineas C, b Dec. 2, 1817; 
116 Leverett, b Dec. 5, 1820. 

73 DAVID, JR. 

David Alcox, son of David and Abigail (Johnson) Alcox, 
married Anna Fenn of Plymouth. 

Children: 117 Fenn, b Feb. 3, 1804, m Susan Taylor; n8 Lli, 
1 1 April 21. 18 10; 119 Irena, b Oct. 4. 181 7; all removed west. 

74 OBED. 

Obkd Alcox, son of David and Abigail (Johnson) Alcox, mar- 
ried, July 13, 1797, Anna, daughter of William Andrus, a soldier 
of the Revolution, and descendant of Abraham Andrus, one of 
the original settlers of Waterbury. She was born at Watertown, 
Sept. 1, 1777. His home and farm were about half a mile north 
of his father's, on the road going east. He engaged largely in the 
manufacture of clock cord and clock pinions for Terry, Thomas. 
and Hoadley. He died Aug. 5, [847 ; Anna, his wife, died Sept. 
2, 1864. 

Children: 120 IViL,. ,. A., 1> Aug. 6, 1798; 121 Lovina, b 
Jan. 17, 1801, m William Knowles of Haddam, Feb. 8, 1820, d 
March 1,1821 ; 122 Morenna, b Aug. 9, 1804; d Dec. r8. 1856; 
123 George G, b March 25, 1807. 

75 ELD AD. 

Eldad Alcox, son of David and- Abigail (Johnson) Alcox, 
married widow Sybil Bartholomew, Jan. 29, 1817. He died June 
5, 1850, ae. 71. 



GENEALOGIES. 433 

Children: 124 Sarah Ann, b Jan. 9, 1818; 125 Newell, b 
Dec 23, 1820. 

76 MEDAD. 

Mkdad ALCOX, son of David and Abigail (Johnson) Alcox, 
married, April 30, 1801, Sylvia Bronson of Plymouth. She was 
born Nov. 22. 1776. He resided in Plymouth, and died Jan. 13, 
1829; his widow, Sylvia, died Sept. 18, 1855, ae. 79. 

Children: 126 Dennison, b Nov. 8, 1801 ; 127 Rosetta, b Aug. 
3, 1X03. m Alfred Churchill j 128 Johnson, b Dec. 19, 1804; 129 
Julia, b Oct. 12, 1806, m Willis Merrill, Oct. 18, 1827; 130 
Addison, 1) Sept. 6, 1808; 131 Sylvia Ann, b July 14, 1810, d 
Feb. 10, 181 1 ; 132 Lucy Maria, b Aug. 10, 18 17. 

89 RILEY. — SEVENTH GENERATION. 

Riley Alcott, son of John B. and Lois (Gaylord) Alcott, 

married 1st. Olive Warner, 2d, Ruth Frisbie, April 13, 1820. His 
residence was in Waterbury, near Wolcott, where his son Gaylord 
now resides. He died May 21, 185.7, ae. 74; his wife, Olive, 
died March 14, 1819, ae. 28; his widow, Ruth, is now in her 88th 
year. 

Children by first wife: 133 Isaac, d Nov. 19, 1826, ae. 14. By 
second wife: 134 Jane, b Sept. 1, 1821, m Abel Beardsley of 
Plymouth, where she resides and has children, Charles II., 
William G, Arthur S., Ella, Samuel, Mary, Jennie, Rodolph, 
and Franklin; 135 Gaylord. 

90 ALMON. 

Almon Alcott, son of John B. and Lois (Gaylord) Alcox, 
married 1st, Betsey Cleveland, April 4, 1816; she died Oct. 18, 
1827, ae. 32. He married. 2d. Polly Cleveland, Dec. 7, 1829; 
she died Oct. 12. 1838. 

Children: 136 Lois C, b March 22, 1817, d Oct. 5, 1827; 
137 Clarissa, b Sept. 29, 1822, m George M. Hard, and has 
children, Estella C, George \\\, and John A.; 138 Sidney IV., b 
Sept. 6, 1827, d June 29. 1829. By second wife : 139 Sidney 11'.. 
b Aug. 1, 1831; 140 Rufus C, b Feb. 28, 1833; 141 Liteian, b 
July 11, 1835; 142 Infant, d. 
29 



434 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

91 JEDEDIAH G. 

Jedediah G. Alcott, son of John B. and Lois (Gaylord) Alcox, 
married 1st, Sophia Roper, she died Jan. 19, 1833. He married 
2d, Mercy Gaylord of Harpersfield, N. Y. His residence was on 
Clinton Hill. He died in New Haven, April 22, 1872, ae. 79. 

Children: 143 Mary; 144 Olive; 145 John ; 146 Charles; 
147 Egbert. 

94 AMOS BRONSON. 

Amos B. Alcott, son of Joseph C. and Anna (Bronson) Alcott, 
married Abigail May, May 23, 1830, at King's Chapel, Boston. 
She was born Oct. 8, 1800. They reside in Concord, Mass. 
(See Biog. p. 238.) 

Children: 148 Anna Bronson, b March 16, 183 1, at German- 
town, Penn., m John B. Pratt, May 23, i860, and has sons, 
Frederick A., b March 28, 1863, and John Sewall, b June 24, 
1866. Mr. Pratt d Nov. 27, 1870. 149 Louisa May, b Nov. 29, 
1832, at Germantown, Penn.; 150 Elizabeth Sewall, b June 24, 
1835, at Boston, d March 14, 1858, at Concord Mass.; 151 May, 
b July 26, 1840, at Concord. 

95 CHATFIELD. 

Chatfield Alcott, son of Joseph C. and Anna (Bronson) 
Alcott, married 1st, Nancy Comstock of Paris, N. Y., 2d, 
Miranda Bailey, and lived at Oriskany Falls, N. Y. 

107 ALBIN. 

Albin Alcott, son of Mark and Mary (Lane) Alcott, married 
Chloe Finch of Wolcott, June 24, 1807. He died Dec. n, 187 1. 
His wife died Sept. 24, 1870. 

Children: 152 Emeliiie, b Sept. 7, 1829; 153 Henry Gilbert, 
b Feb. 27, 1832; 154 Maiiette, b March 10, 1834; 155 Sarah 
Jane, b April 19, 1836; 156 Amos JVeivtou,b Oct. 17, 1838; 
James P. 

Ill LUCIUS. 

Lucius Alcott, son of James and Esther (Castle) Alcott, 
married Emily Roberts of Burlington, and removed to Plymouth 
Hollow, where he died Oct. 14, 1856, ae. 56. 

Children: 157 Robert C, m Mary Trowbridge; 158 John, m 
Frances Knowles, and has a son Charles. 



GENEALOGIES. 435 

114 JAMES, 3D. 

James Alcott, son of James and Esther (Castle) Alcott, mar- 
ried Salina, daughter of Mark Alcott, Aug. 27, 1833, ant ^ resides 
on the homestead of his father and grandfather. 

Children: 159 Esther Melissa, b April 9, 1835, m Albert N. 
Lane, Nov. 17. 1855; 160 Harriet Ann. b Dec. 15, 1837, m 
William F. Grilley, Jan. 8, i860, and has daughter, Eva Melissa, 
b Oct. 16, 1866; 161 Emily, b March 15, 1841, m 1st, Berlin 
Pritchard, Nov. 1, i860, and has a son, Evelin James, b Dec. 16. 
1866; 162 Mary b Sept. 12, 1842, m Coral D. Blakeslee. May 
31. 1868. 

I 1 5 PHINEAS C. 

Phineas C. Alcott, son of James and Esther (Castle) Alcott, 
married 1st, Emily Horton, and removed to Medina, ()., 2d, 
Sarah Welton of Ohio. 

Children: 163 Esther; 164 Mary ; 165 Lois; 166 Eva. 

Il6 LEVERETT. 

Leverett Alcott, son of James and Esther (Castle) Alcott, 
married Mary Williams of Ohio. After some experience in selling 
goods in Southern States, while quite young, he engaged with the 
Suspender Co., of Waterbury, for a time, in selling their goods in 
Ohio. After his engagement with this company expired he 
engaged in the mercantile business for himself. His first store 
was in Medina, O., and from that place he removed to Cleveland, 
where he has had large success. 

Children: 167 Eddie, d young; 168 Willie; 169 Frankie. 

I20 WILLIAM ANDRUS. 

Dr. William A. Alcott, son of Obed and Anna (Andrus) 
Alcox, married Phebe L., daughter of Deacon Irad Bronson 
June f4, 1836. He died March 28, 1859. (See Biog. p. 265.) 

Children; 170 William Penn, b July 11, 1838; 171 Phebe Ann, 
1) ( tot. 17, 1840, m Walter Crafts, resides in Alabama, and has a 
son. Walter Nathan, and daughter, Phebe R., b Nov. 17. 1873. 

123 GEORGE GARY. 

George G. Alcott, son of Obed and Anna (Andrus) Alcox, 
married Harriet Nichols, Oct. 25, 1835. He died June 27, 1869. 



43^ HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Children: 172 Lovina A., b Dec. 29, 1836, m H. F. Bassett, 
April 8, 1855, and has children, Sarah Antoinette, b May 23, 
1857, and Frank Alcott, b April 19, 1867. 173 George Edwin, b 
Oct. 1, 1838; 174 Antoinette, b April 24, 1840, m O. E. Smith, 
May 14, 1863, resides in Massachusetts, and lias children, Hattie, 
b June 6, 1864, d March 8, 1867; Annie Alcott, b Oct. 19, 1866; 
Mabel, b March 23, 1870, d Dec. [9, 1872 ; Olive, b Dec. 15, 
1872. 175 Anna, b May 29. 1843, m Edward W. Peck, Sept. 

13, 1865, resides in Birmingham,, Conn., and has children, Lewis 
A., b Jan. 17, 1866; Beulah, b May 29, 1868; Lovina, b Jan. 

14, 1870, Archibald A., b Sept. 24, 1872. 176 Elmer, b March 
4, 1848, m Adeline Johnson. 

126 DENNISON. 

Dennison Alcott, son of Medad and Sylvia (Bronson) Alcox, 
married Emily Blakeslee, June 24, 1825, at Paris, N. Y., resides, 
now, in Wisconsin. 

Children: 177 Amelia, b May 4, 1826; 178 Maria, b Oct. 31, 
1827; 179 William, b July 31, 1833. 

128 JOHNSON. 

Johnson Alcott, son of Medad and Sylvia (Bronson) Alcox, 
married Harriet, daughter of Silas Merrill of Wolcott, June 21, 
1830. He died Jan. 23, 1872. 

Children: 180 Adeline, b April 18, 1831, d July 22, 1848; 181 
Martha, b March 21, 1833, m John Howd, April 5, 1855, and 
has a daughter, Hattie, b June 23, 1861 ; 182 Emily, b Jan. 3, 
1837, d Aug. io, 1840; 183 Burritt, b May 3, 1839, ^ May 12, 
1863 ; 184 Emma, b Aug. 4, 1844, m Frederick C. Neal of 
Southington, and has sons, Charlie and Frank. 

130 ADDISON. 

Addison Alcott, son of Medad and Sylvia (Bronson) Alcox, 
married Almira Norton of Wolcott, Sept. 12, 1838, resides in Iowa. 

Children: 185 Amos Bronson, b June 2, 1839; 186 Emmerson 
C, b Sept. 22, 1843; l8 7 Mar y Elizabeth, b March 12, 1847; 
188 Hannah Jane, b Aug. 22, 1849; l8 9 Celia Maria, b June 9. 
1852; 190 Carrie Eugenia, b May 16, 1S55. 



GENEALOGIES. 437 

135 OAYLORD. — EIGHTH GENERATION. 

Gaylord Alcott, son of Riley and Ruth (Frisbie) Alcott, 
married Caroline K. Blackman of Roxbury, May 20, 1S50. She 
died Feb. 10, 1862. He married 2d, Elizabeth Bronson of 
Southington, April 18, 1S70. 

Children by first wife: 191 Hubert Gaylord, b June 25, 1851, 
d Sept. 6, 185 1 ; 192 Abel Seward, b Nov. 6, 1852; 193 Morris 
Blackman, b March 13, 1S54; 194 James Lorenzo, 1) Feb. 27, 
1856 ; 195 Edmund Gaylord, b May 27, 1858, d Sept. 22, 1865; 
196 Carrie E., b March 20, 1861. d May 11, 1862. 

139 SIDNEY w. 

Sidney W. Alcott, son of Almon and Polly (Cleveland) Alcott, 
married Mariette Alcott in 1854; resides in Waterbury. 
Children: 197 Clara E., b Sept., 1856; 198 Kiifus C 

140 rufus c. 

Rufus C. Alcott, son of Almon and Polly (Cleveland) Alcott, 
married 1st, Mary B. Pinks of New Britain, May 8, 1853, 2d, 
Maria Hitchcock of Oxford, Sept. 30, 1858. 

Children by first wife: 199 Alice J. C, b June 27, 1854. By 
second wife: 200 Frederick d", b April 8, i860, d Feb. 4, 1868; 
201 Hubert, b Sept. 28, 1861 ; 202 George A., b Oct. 22, 1864; 
203 William R., b Feb. 21, 1867 ; 204 Jolui F., b April 25, 
1868; 205 Antoinette L., b July 28, 187 1. 

141 LUCIAN p. 

Lucian P. Alcott, son of Almon and Polly (Cleveland) 
Alcott, married Maria E. Robinson of Goshen, March 22, 1859, 
and lives on his father's homestead. 

Children: 206 Bertha, b June 7, 186 1 ; 207 Frances E., b 
May 10, 1864; 208 Lois G., b Jan. 28, 1866; 209 Eddie L., b 
April 20, 1867. 

170 WILLIAM PENN. 

Rev. William P. Alcott, son of Dr. William A. and Phebe 
(Bronson) Alcott, married Sarah Jane, daughter of Rev. David 
Merrill, of Vermont. (See Biog. p. 278.) 



438 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Children: 210 William Bronson, b Jan. 6, 1870, d Sept. 10, 
1872; 211 Mary Hunt, b March 17, 187 1; 212 David Merrill 
b Aug. 25, 1873. 

173 GEORGE EDWIN. 

George E. Alcott. son of George G. and Harriet (Nichols) 
Alcott, married Sarah E., daughter of Willis Upson, March 4, 
1 86 1. They removed to Page Co., Iowa, November, 1868. 

Children: 213 Willis Upson, b Jan. 7, 1867; 214 Maria 
Antoinette, b Aug. 18, 1869; 215 Harriet Eliza, b Aug. 2S, 187 1. 



ATKINS. 

ADKINS, ATKINS. 

This name was written on Hartford and Waterbury records 
Adkins until near 1770, and after that time it uniformly appears 
on the Waterbury records as Atkins. Adkins is an English name, 
the heraldic signs indicating that the family were in the Crusades, 
and received special honor for faithfulness in the defence of forti- 
fications. 

JOSIAH. 

Josiah Adkins. of Middletown. Conn., married Elizabeth Wet 
more, Oct. 8, 1673; died Sept. 12, 1600, leaving seven children 
minors, and three older, probably by a former wife. 

Children: 1 Thomas; 2 Samuel; 3 Elizabeth. Minors: 4 
Sarah, ae. 16; 5 Abigail, 14; 6 Solomon, 12; 7 Josiah. 10; 8 
Benjamin, 8 ; 9 Epkraim, 6; 10 Elizabeth, 3. 

7 JOSIAH. JR. — SECOND GENERATION. 

Josiah Adkins, son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Wetmorc) Adkins. 
married Mary Wheeler of Stratford, Dec. 16, 1708, and resided in 
Middletown. He died Nov. 1, 1724. 

Children : n Joseph, b Sept., 1709; 12 Mary, b Oct. 14, 17 10; 
13 Elizabeth, b Feb., 17 12; 14 Abigail, b Aug. 14,1713; 15 
Josiah. b Oct. 11. 1 7 15; 16 John, b Oct. 14, 17 17, d Nov. 1, 
1724. 

I I JOSEPH. THIRD GENERATION. 

Joseph Adkins.* son of Josiah and Mary (Wheeler) Adkins. 
married Abigail Rich, and removed to Bristol, Conn., where he 
purchased seventeen acres of land, the deed being dated, "March 

*Sce lJiog. p. 274. Sec al*o pp. 18 and 20. 



440 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

6, in the 23d year of the reign of King George, 1749-50." He 
was a miller, and sold, in 1753, eighty acres of land with a corn 
mill, to Samuel Thompson of Kensington. He removed to 
Wolcott about 1759, where he had purchased land a year or two 
before. He was a very important and highly esteemed man in 
Farmingbury parish. He died in 1782 ; his wife, Abigail, died in 
the Autumn of 1796. 

Children : 1 7 Sarah, m Isaac Cleveland of Wolcott, and 
removed to "Cherries Brook" parish, in East Simsbury, Conn. 
She had two sons and two daughters. 18 Alary, m Simeon 
Plumb of Wolcott; 19 Joseph, b about 1743; 20 Rebecca, m 
Heman Wooster, and died in the Eastern part of Massachusetts, 
leaving two sons and two daughters; 21 Samuel, b 1753; 22 
Abigail, b Aug. 19, 1745, m Gideon Finch of Wolcott; 23 Eliza- 
beth, m Joel Lane of Wolcott, May 22, 1776; 24. Joszah. 

19 JOSEPH, JR. FOURTH GENERATION. 

Deacon Joseph Atkins, son of Joseph and Abigail (Rich) 
Adkins, married Phebe Hall, and was a respected and reliable 
citizen, and was deacon of the church nineteen years. He 
removed to Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1805, and died there April 
5, 1820, ae. about 77; his wife, Phebe, died in the Summer of 
1828. (See Biog. p. 280.) 

Children: 25 Rosanuah, b March 5, 1768, m Jonas Heacock 
of Waterbury. Conn., d Jan. 11, 1790; 26 Sylvia, b Nov. 3, 1769, 
d Jan. 11, 1790; 27 Asahcl, b Feb. 20, 1772; 28 Samuel, b Jan. 
1, 1774, of whom we have no account; 29 Xenia,\ b June 30, 
1776, d Jan. 8, 1777; 30 Adah, b Jan. 9, 1778, d Oct., 1778; 31 
Phebe, b May 26, 1780, m Joseph Twitchell of Wolcott; 32 
Abigail, b June 7, 1783, m Ziba Norton of Wolcott; 33 Joseph, 
and 34 Joel, twins, b Feb. 10, 1786. 

21 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Atkins, son of Joseph and Abigail (Rich) Adkins, 
married Esther, daughter of Jedediah Minor of Wolcott, May 19, 
1774; lived and died in Wolcott, July 13, 1788, ae. 35. 

Children: 35 Levi, bapt Feb. 20, 1785; 36 Ashbel, bapt Feb. 



f Xenia, on church book. 



GENEALOGIES. 441 

20, 1785; 37 Betsey, bapt Feb. 20. 1785. m Reuben Chatfield of 
Waterbury, removed to Colbrook, Conn, where she died; 38 
Esther, bapt Sept. 4, 1785, d unmarried ; 39 Samuel, bapt June 
t6, 1788. 

24 JOSIAH. 

JosiAH Atkins, son of Joseph and Abigail (Rich) Adkins, 
married Sarah, daughter of Deacon Josiah Rogers. He left 
Wolcott in 1802 or 3, and settled in Ashtabula Co., O., sixty miles 
east of Cleveland. Josiah Atkins was a remarkably strong man, 
being about six feet in height and very muscular, and of great 
ambition in work. He is said to have walked seven miles in 
November and chopped seven cords of coal wood (seven feet 
long) in one day, and walked home before dark. Charles Upson, 
Esq., measured off one acre of grass for him, and he mowed it in 
four hours, then took his place with the other mowers and worked 
with them all day. There was at least three tons of hay on the 
acre he mowed. Capt. Nathaniel Lewis said of him, " that he 
would mow or reap or chop more in one day, or any number of 
days, than any man in the town. 

Children: 40 Paulina; 41 Flaminius ; 42 Lucinda; 43 Philin- 
tus, who d March 19, 1801, by a flood which carried away the 
grist mill he was in, at Canton, Hartford Co., Conn.; 44 Diana; 
45 Josiah ; 46 Albertus ; 47 Philintus. 

27 ASAHEL. — FIFTH GENERATION. 

Asahel Atkins, son of Deacon Joseph and Phebe (Hall) 

Atkins, married 1st, Warner, 2d, Widow Prudence Metcalf. 

He resided in Chenango Co., N. V.. where he died April 6, 1S57. 
ae. 85. 

Children. by first wife: 4S Fardice W., b May 19. 1797. m 
Pleuma Judson of Connecticut, and lives in the western States ; 
49 Selma, b May 3, 1799. m Robert Ames. Nov. 13, 1818, had 
sons Fardice, Robert, and two others, and daughter Sallie ; 50 
Lovema, b March (•>. 1802, m Jira Fish, has sons Asahel J. and 
Luke M., and daughters Pleuma. Vienna, and Alvira ; 51 Aaron 
G.,b Feb. 12, 1804 ; 52 William .V. b Dec. 8, 1805 ; 53 James 
T.. b in 1868, m Matilda Cash, had three or four children. 
Children by second wife-: 54 Sarah .Inn. 1) Dec 22. 1814,111 
SO 



442 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

John D. Truman, and has children, Charles E., b March 4, 1835 ; 
Arsenith, b 'Sept. 8, 1836; Sarah M., b Aug. 21, 1838 ; Mariette 
A., b March 19, 1841 ; Marcus H., b June 4, 1844; Harriet C, 
b July 6, 1846, d Feb. 8, 1847 ', Harriet L., b May 21, 1849. 55 
Alvira Mali?ida, b in 18 17, m Ludington Frink, March 18, 1835? 
had children, Rosina, b Jan. 18, 1836; Frances A., b Sept. 24, 
1837; Billings C, b Dec. 30, 1839; phuo L -> b Ma y 7> l8 4 2 ; 
Marvin A., b .Oct. 27, 1845; Mary E., b March 17, 1847. 5 6 
Mary S., b March 26, 1820, m Benjamin Ingersoll, had three 
sons; 57 Eliza D., b Nov. 6, 1822, m James Becker, has one 
son; 58 George; 59 Charles D., b Dec. 8, 18 ti. 

3^ JOSEPH, 3 d. 

Joseph Atkins, son of Deacon Joseph and Phebe (Hall) 
Atkins, married Elizabeth Cutting. 

Children: 60 Rumin ; 61 Cemantha; 62 Harriet; 63 Lois; 
64 Norman. 

34 JOEL. 

Joel Atkins, son of Deacon Joseph and Phebe (Hall) Atkins, 
married Esther Burrows of Connecticut. He was skilled as a 
joiner. He built the first Presbyterian Meeting house in Norwich 
village, the county seat of Chenango Co., N. Y., and also the first 
Meeting house in the village of Smyrna of the same county, 
besides much other work of a superior kind. He left Chenango 
county many years ago, and has not been heard of since. 

Children: 65 Emily, d June, 1874; 66 Julia ; 67 Adaline ; 68 
Lea/ider, m Eunice Chapman, and has a son, Irvin ; 69 1 1 illiam ; 
70 Riley. 

35 LEVI - 
Levi Atkins, son of Samuel and Esther (Minor) Atkins, 
served seven years as apprentice to Deacon Elisha Stevens of 
Naugatuck, as shoemaker and tanner. He married Eunice Smith 
of Naugatuck, and removed to Middlebury, Conn., where he built 
a house near the brick-yard, and afterwards removed to Wolcott, 
where Dennis Pritchard now resides. He afterwards removed to 
Bucks Hill and thence back to Wolcott, where his son Levi now 
resides. Here he took care of his grandfather, Jedediah Minor, 



GENEALOGH - 443 

while he lived, and here, also, he died, April 4, 1856, ae. 81; his 
wife, Eunice, died July 29, 1869, ae. 91. 

Children: 71 Julia, b 1797, d Oct. 29, 1835, unmarried; 72 
John S., 1) Aug., 1798; 73 Garry, born May, 1800; 74 Harriet, 
b 1802, in Asaph Hotchkiss of Wolcott, removed to Medina, O., 
and died there, leaving one daughter, Caroline; 75 Erastus, b 
[804; 76 Betsey, b 1808, ra Prosper Hull of Tolland, Mass., d 
Oct. 30. 1847, leaving no children; 77 Esther, b 1810, m Anson 
11. Smith of Wolcott; 78 Levi and 79 Leva, twins, b Nov. 5, 
1813 ; Leva m William Johnson of Wolcott, her children were 
Henry, b 1835. and Theron. b 1S41. 80 Vina, b June 13, 1816, 
d June 10. 1832. 

36 ASHBE1 . 

Vshbel Atkins, son of Samuel and Esther (Minor) Atkins, 

married Cowles of Southington, removed to Genesee, N. Y., 

and died there. 

39 SAMUEL, JR. 

Samuel Atkins, son of Samuel and Esther (Minor) Atkins, 
married a daughter of Philo Bronson, and lived and died in 
Waterbury. 

Children: 8r Edwin; 82 Ellen. 

41 FLAMINIUS. 

Flaminius Atkins, son of Josiah and Sarah (Rogers) Atkins, 
went to Ohio with his father in 1802-3. He carried the first mail 
from Buffalo to Detroit, on foot, through the wilderness. He had 
with him a large dog, two rifles, and an axe. He continued to 
carry the mail, when he went only half way and met the mail from 
Detroit and returned to Buffalo. On one occasion he waited for 
the mail two days and three nights, in a shanty he had put up for 
the purpose, and while there the old dog drove a large panther up 
a tree, in the night, and in the morning the long rifle despatched 
him, to the great relief of the master of the shanty. Mr. Atkins, 
it is said, was over six feet in height, and chopped, in Ohio, an 
acre of heavy forest timber as a fallow, for one dollar and a half. 

51 AARON ('.. — SIXTH GENERATION. 

Aaron G. Atkins, son of Asahel ami (Warner) Atkins, 



444 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

married Maria P. Garton, Feb. 22, 1826. He resides in North 
Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., and is seventy years old, being a 
grandson of Deacon Joseph Atkins. 

Children: 83 David If., b Sept. 17, 1829, m Margaret Cratson- 
bury, Oct. 25, 1854; 84 Mary M, b Oct. 15, 1831, m David E. 
Williams, Dec, 15, 1852, d May 31, 1855; 85 Sally G., b Oct. 
21, 1839, m David E. Williams, March 31, 1858, d Feb. 2, 1866; 
86 James T., b Aug. 7, 1841. 

52 WILLIAM S. 

William S. Atkins, son of Asahel and (Warner) Atkins, 

married Eunice C. Babcock, Jan. 6, 1839. 

Children: 87 George H. ; 88 Delos Z., a lawyer of ten years' 
standing, now residing in Sherborne, N. Y. ; 89 Carlos ; 90 
Phi ma. 

72 JOHN SMITH. 

John S. Atkins, son of Levi and Eunice (Smith) Atkins, mar- 
ried Esther, daughter of Rollin Harrison of Wolcott. He removed 
to Berlin, Conn., where he died Oct. 25, 1864, ae. 64. 

Children : 91 Wealthy, m Charles Higgins of Berlin, Conn ; 92 
Rollin, d young; 93 Adaline, m Joseph Eggleston. resides in 
Winsted, Conn. • 94 Juliette, d young. 

73 GARRY. 

Garry Atkins, son of Levi and Eunice (Smith) Atkins, mar- 
ried, 1st, Melvina Welton of Plymouth, Conn., and removed to 
Medina, Ohio, in 1829. 

Children : 95 Ellen IV. ; 96 Harriet A. : these were born in 
Wolcott. He has a daughter, 97 Elizabeth, by his fifth wife. 

78 LEVI, JR. 

Levi Atkins, son of Levi and Eunice (Smith) Atkins, married 
1st, Dec. n, 1836, Emily Buckingham, of Roxbury, Conn. She 
died May 1, 1847, and he married, 2d, widow Eunice A. Gril- 
ley, Feb. 6, 1848. He is professionally a farmer and shoe- 
maker, but practically a musician. His drum band has long been 
celebrated through the State, and especially so during the late 
war. With the violin he is quite at home, as is also his son Ho- 
mer with the piccolo, and Atkins' Quadrille Band is well and fa- 



GENEALOGIES. 445 

vorably known throughout the county. The one peculiarity about 
his music is a little preference for the "old-fashioned tunes." He 
lives comparatively at his ease, but retains the characteristic of 
his great and first ancestor in Wolcott, — " whatever he undertakes 
must be carried to completion." 

Children by first wife : 98 Iiifant.h 1837, died young ; 99 Mary 
Emily, b Nov. 7, 1839, m Leverett Sandford of Wolcott, d Feb. 
6, 1873, leaving one son, Leverett, b July 7, 1862 ; 100 George^ 
b Jan. 26, 1842; 101 Stiles U., b Sept. 29, 1844, d March 28, 
1871, not married. Children by second wife: 102 Homer Z., b 
Oct. 23, 1850. 

IOO GEORGE. 

George Atkins, son of Levi and Emily (Buckingham) Atkins, 
married Cora Sandford, Oct., 1866. 
Children : 103 Em ma, b March, 1869. 



BARNES. 



I STEPHEN, 1ST. 



Stephen Barnes, said to have come from Long Island, resided 
a short time in Branford and married Mary . 

Children: 2 Benjamin, b Dec. 13, 1702 ; 3 Stephen, b Jan. 2, 
1704 or 5; \Sarah, b May 17, 1708; 5 Experience^ Dec. 4, 1710. 

2 benjamin. 

Benjamin Barnes, son of Stephen, 1st, married, Dec. 7, 1727, 
Hannah Abbott, and settled in the eastern part of Southington. 

Children : 6 Lydia, b Oct. 22, 1728; 7 Mary, b June 17, 1730, 
m Noah Woodruff, Dec. 5, 1752; 8 Sarah, b Sept. 29, 1732, m 
John Bronson, March 30, 1750 ; 9 Deborah, b Nov. 10, 1734; m 
Luke Hart, March, 1764; 10 Eit?iice, b Nov. 8, 1737, m Joseph 
Mallory, 1774, and settled in Wolcott, d Nov. 22, 1793. 

3 STEPHEN, 2D. 

Stephen Barnes, son of Stephen and Mary Barnes, married, 
Jan. 5, 1725 or 6, Martha Wheadon of Branford, and settled in 
the southwest part of Southington. He was a large land-holder. 
and a man of influence and respectability in the community. 
His wife, Martha, died March 18, 1773, ae. 65, and was buried 
in Plantsville burying-ground, and on her headstone is written : 
" I am the first brought here to turn to dust." He died March 
27, 1777, ae. 73. 

Children: 11 Mary, b Oct. 22, 1726, m Jacob Carter, Jr. ; t2 
Stephen, b. Dec. 3, 1728, settled in Wolcott; 13 Jonathan, b. Feb. 
21, 1730 or 31; 14 Martha,h Aug. 22, 1734; 15 William, !> 
Nov. 10, 1738; 16 Nathan, b Aug. 25, 1742; 17 Asa, b Aug. 24, 
1745- 



GENEALOGIES. 447 

12 STEPHEN, 3D. 

Sergeant Stephen Barnes, son of Stephen and Martha (Whea- 
don) Barnes, married Sarah Barnes Nov. 14, 1 75 1, and settled in 
Wolcott on Southington mountain. He was an active and influ- 
ential man in Farmingbury Society a number of years from its 
commencement in 1770, serving as Society's committee, school 
committee, and Society's collector, and in other offices. He is 
called Sergeant in 1772, and must have been one of the first offi- 
cers in the first military company organized under the king, in 
Farmington part of Farmingbury. He died Aug. 26, [784, ae. 
50. His wife Sarah died March 4, 1798, ae. 69. 

Children: 18 Sarah, b Aug. 13, 1754, d Nov. 6, 1784 (a few- 
days after her father), ae. 31 ; 19 Philemon, b June 26, 1757, m 
Anna Scott of Waterbury, in 1779, d Jan. 29, 1795, ae. 38, and 
his wife, Anna, d Aug. 9, 1798, ae. 41 ; 20. Harrington, b Dec. 2, 
1760; 21 Mark,}} March 12, 1764; 22 Martha, b Jan. 29, 1768. 
m Samuel Poole of Bristol, June 24, 1788; 23 Nathan, b Jan. 
8, 1771. 

13 JONATHAN. 

Jonathan Barnes, son of Stephen and Martha (Wheadon) 
Barnes, married Elizabeth Woodruff, Aug. 4, 1757, and lived in 
Southington. He died Jan. 7, 1807, ae. 76. She died Feb. 8, 
1814, ae. 76. 

Children: 2 4 Jonathan, b March 13, 1763, m Rachel Steel, 
Feb. 19, 1789 ; 25 Elizabeth, b Oct. 21, 1764, m Rufus Ward, 
Oct, 10, 1787, went to Ohio; 26 Mary, b Mar. 4, 1767, d July 
6, 1772 ; 27 Stephen, b Feb. 12, 1769, m Sally Andrews; 28 Syl- 
via, b Aug. 7, 1 77 1, m Roswell Hart, d March 21, 1857 ; 29 Lois, 
1) 1772, m Gideon L. Smith, Nov. 15, 1793 ; 30 Levi, b June 28, 
1777, m Hezekiah Woodruff, Oct. 28, 1800; 31 Joel, b 1779, m 
Rebecca Stevens; 32 Truman, bapt July 6. 1783, m Lowly 
Barrett, Jan. 3, 181 5. 

15 WILLIAM. 

William Barnes, son of Stephen and Martha (Wheadon) 
Barnes, married Martha, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Judd) 
Upson, of Waterbury. He removed from Southington to South- 
ampton, Mass., in March, 1800. 

Children : ^ Hannah, b Aug. 8, 1757 ; 34, Azuba, b Feb. 27, 



44-8 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

1759 ; 35 Benjamin, b Oct. 6, 1761 ; 36 Experience, b Sept. 17, 
!763 ; 37 William, b Feb. 2, 1767 ; 38 Elijah, b July 22, 177 1. 

16 NATHAN. 

Nathan Barnes, son of Stephen and Martha (Wheadon) 
Barnes, married Sarah Byington, Dec. 1, 1763, and lived and died 
in the west part of Southington. No children. 

17 ASA. 

Asa Barnes, son of Stephen and Martha (Wheadon) Barnes, 
married Phebe Barnes, and lived in what is now called Marion, in 
Southington. He died Feb. 13, 1819, ae. 73. Sarah, his widow, 
died Jan., 181 1. 

Children: 39 Naomi, b April 27, 1766; 40, Allen, b July 15, 
1767, d Sept. 27, 1809; 41 Selah, b March 4, 1769; 42 Ruth, 
b Dec. 21, 1771 ; 43 Martin, b June 17, 1773, d Sept. 29, 1776; 
44 Eli, b May 21, 1775; 45 Asa, b July 22, 1777 ; 46 Martin, 
b March, 1779, d Sept., 1780 ; 47 Ira, b Nov. 15, 1781; 48 
Philo, b March 2, 1783; 49 Dennis, who died Sept., 181 1. 

20 farrington. 
Farrington Barnes, son of Stephen and Sarah (Barnes) 
Barnes, married Sally Talmage of Wolcott, Dec. 25, 1783, and 
resided a little north of David Frost, on Southington Mountain. 
He afterwards removed to Northampton, Mass. 
Children: 50 Archibald ; 51 Nathan. 
2 1 MARK. 

Mark Barnes, son of Stephen and Sarah (Barnes) Barnes, 
married Sarah Roberts of Wolcott, Nov. 16, 1786. 

Children: 52 Abigail, b March n, 1789; 53 Sarah, b April 
26, 1791 ; 54 Mark, b Dec. 13, 1795 > 55 Sylvia, b Aug. 11, 1798; 
56 Martha, b Nov. 18, 1800; 57 Moses Roberts, b June 18, 1803. 

23 NATHAN. 

Nathan Barnes, son of Stephen and Sarah (Barnes) Barnes, 
married Elizabeth ; — 

Children: 58 Nathan Whiting, b Sept. 18, 1797; 59 Eliza, b 
Dec. 14, 1798.* . 

* There have been other families of this name (Barnes) in Wolcott, some 
of whom came from Waterbury. 



BARTHOLOMEW. 

William Bartholomew was born in Northford, Conn., Nov. 
13, 1783. He married Hannah C, daughter of Dea. Isaac Bron- 
son, Nov. 13, 181 1, and lived in Wolcott, nearly a mile south of 
the center. He united with the church in 1828, under the labors 
of Mr. Scranton, and was a valuable man to the church and com- 
munity, serving both in various offices. He died March 22, 1850, 
aged 66. His wife. Hannah, is still living (1873). 

Children: t Thankful Bronson, b Sept. 22, 181 2; 2 Israel 
Beard Woodward, b June 23, 1814; 3 Bertha, b Sept. 3, r8i6, 
m David Gaylord, of Wallingford, Oct. 4, 1841 ; 4 John Milton. 
b Feb. 3, 1818, d Feb. 4, 1818; 5 Sarah Jane, b Nov. 28, 18 19. 
m Ira H. Smith of North Haven, Feb. 27, 1846; 6 Rmeret Ante/ia. 
b Oct. 12, 1832, m Julius Morse of Cheshire, June, 1855. 

2 ISRAEL b. w. 

Israel B. W. Bartholomew, son of William and Hannah 
(Bronson) Bartholomew, married Maria Theresa Byington of 
Southington, Sept., 1841. He died in Hannibal, Mo., Sept. 1, 
1846, ae. 32. His wife, Maria Theresa, died in St. Louis, Mo., 
Jan. 26, 1844, ae. 21. 

3i 449 



BEECHER. 

I JOHN. 

John Beecher's name appears very early in New Haven 
records. 

Children recorded in New Haven: 2 John, b Aug. 9, 167 1 ; 3 
Mary, b Feb. 23, 1672 ; 4 Johanna, b July 21, 1677 ; 5 Jemima, 
b Feb. 11, 1 68 1 ; 6 Joseph, b Feb. 13, 1683; 7 Ebenezer, b April 
12, 1686. 

6 JOSEPH, 1ST. 

Joseph Beecher, son of John the first, lived in New Haven. 

Children : 8 Allis, b Jan. 28, 1695 ; 9 Joseph, b Nov. 22, 1698 ; 
10 Lidiah, b Feb. 15, 1700; 11 Hezekiah, b June 14, 1703 ; 12 
Nathaniel, b March 7, 1706 • 13 Eliphalet, b May 31. 171 1. 

9 JOSEPH, 2D. 

Joseph Bercher, 2d, married Sarah Ford, May 15, 1729, and 
lived in New Haven. 

Children: 14 Joseph, b Feb. 9, 1731 ; 15 Moses, b Feb. 2, 1733; 
16 Timothy, b Feb. 8, 1735 i *7 Abell, b Nov. 17, 1737 ; 18 Titus, 
b July 5, 1740; 19 Amos, b June 10, 1743. 

14 JOSEPH, 3D. 

Capt. Joseph Beecher, son of Joseph and Sarah (Ford) Beech- 
er, married Esther Potter, and settled in northeastern part of Wol- 
cott, before the year 1770. He was a reliable, active man in the 
Society and church many years. He is called captain in 1778, 
in the records of the Society, and must have been among the 
first officers of the first military company in Farmington part of 
Farmingbury. He is said to have been first cousin to Rev. Dr. 
Lyman Beecher. 



GENEALOGIES. 455 

Children: 64 Charles; 65 Eliza ; 66 Edward Burdett ; 67 
Moses ; 68 Mary ; 69 George Adelbert; 70 Nancy, 71 Jennette; 
72 Harriet; 73 Virginia. 

51 BUEWELL. 

Burwell Bradley, son of Timothy, 19th. 

Children: 74 Augusta; 75 Frances; 76 Jesse; 77 Nellie. 

52 EMMERSON. 

Emmerson Bradley, son of Timothy, 19th. 
Children: 78 Wallace; 79 Winslow; 80 Bertie. 

66 EDWARD BURDETT. 

Edward R Bradley, son of Riley, 33. 

Children: 81 //'//,/; 82 Edward; 83 Ha#ie\ 84 Harry; 85 
William. 

69 GEORGE ADELBERT. 

George A. Bradley, son of Riley, 33. 
Children: $6 John; 87 7vV^. 



BROCKETT. 



I SAMUEL. 



Samuel Bkockett removed from Wallingford to Wolcott, hav- 
ing several children who were born in Wallingford. His wife, 
Ruth, died in Wolcott, April 14, 1780. 

Children: 2 Eunice, b Jan. 15, 1744; 3 Zuer, b March 24, 
1746 ; \ Joel, b June 14, 1739 5 5 J oe ^ t> July 28, 1760 ; 6 Zenas, 
b July 12, 1752 ; 7 Benjamin, b Oct. 1, 1760 ; 8 Rachel, d in Wol- 
cott, Oct. 17, 1776. 

3 ZUER. 

Zuei? Brockett, son of Samuel and Ruth Brockett, married 

Eunice , and lived in the northeastern part of the town, 

his name being found on parish records very early. His wife, 
Eunice, died March 11, 1833, ae. 81. He died Sept. 17, 1834, 
ae. 87. 

Children : 9 Ramel ; 10 Titus, m Sarah, daughter of Dea. Jus- 
tus Peck, and d Feb. 21, 1857, ae. 77. His wife, Sarah, d April 
23, 1850, ae. 71. 



AMOS. 

Amos Brockett, born April 10, 1756, married Lucy Button' 
March 27, 1783, and lived in northeast part of Wolcott. 

Children : 1 Zephna, b June 21, 1784; 2 Eli, b Sept. 11, 1786; 
3 Amos, b April 16, 1789 ; 4 Alva, b Jan. 20, 1792 ; 5 Lucy, b 
Dec. 8, 1793; 6 Joel,b Sept. 9, 1795 ; 7 Rhoda, b March 8, 
1798; 8 Rebecca, b Oct. 9, 1799; 9 Rachel, b Sept. 22, 1801. 
By second wife, Rachel: 10 Benjamin D., b Oct. 14, 1803; 11 
Zenas, b May 4, 1806; 12 Timothy D., b Dec. 31, 1808. 



GENEALOGIES. • 45 1 

Children: 20 John, b Jan, 10, 1756; 21 Nathan, bapt June 16, 
1774, m Lucy, daughter of Uea. Peck (probably) ; 22 Sybil, bapt 
June 16, 1774, m (probably) Jesse Potter of New Haven; 23 
Joseph, bapt June 16, 1774; 24 Hezekiah L., bapt June 16, 1774; 
25 Esther, bapt Aug. 7, 1774; 26 Sylvester, bapt April 15, 1781. 

17 ABELL. 

Abel Beecher lived in Wolcott, and died Oct. 27. 181 1, and 
his son, 27 Abel, died in 1813. 

19 AMOS. 

Capt. Amos Beecher was in Wolcott some years, his name 
not being as prominent on the records of the Society as his bro- 
ther Joseph's. 

Children: 28 Samuel; 29 Lucy; 30 Amos; 31 Rebecca; 32 
Salmon /, all bapt July 29, 1781. 

20 JOHN. 

John Beecher son of Joseph and Esther (Potter) Beecher. 
married Susanna Alcox, and lived on or near the homestead of 
his father. She died Nov. 3, 1836, ae. 68. He died Aug. 4, 
1829, ae. 75. 

Children : 33 Lyman, b Aug. 19, 1793, and was killed by the 
falling of a tree, Jan. 17, 1805; 34 John, b May 5, 1795; 35 
Julia, b March 27, 1797, d Nov. 5, 1846; 36 Leonard, b Nov. 
27, 1798 ; 37 Delight, b May 17, 1801, m Marcus H. Upson, Jan. 
13, 1830, removed to Burlington, Conn. ; 38 Jesse Lyman, b < )et. 
16, 1803, d Nov. 22, 1841 ; 39 Esther Potter; b March 1, 1806, 
m Jarvis R. Bronson, June 24, 1835 I 4° Henry, b Jan. 4, 1809. 

34 JOHN. 

John Beecher, son of John and Susannah (Alcox) Beecher, 
married widow Vina Smith, July 26, 1826. She was born May 
1 1, 1800. He resides on his father's homestead. 

Children: 41 Ellen Augusta, b June 12, 1827, m Rufus Norton, 
April 15, 1845; 4 2 Angeline Minerva, b Sept. 6, 1829, d July 15, 
1846 ; 43 Burritt William, b Aug. 1, 1832, d Jan. 6, 1859 ; 44 
Lnfant, d young. 



452 • HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

36 LEONARD. 

Leonard Beecher, son of John and Susannah (Alcox) Beech- 
er, married Polly, daughter of John Frisbie, built a fine house 
near his father. 

Children : 45 John Merritt, b 1825 ; 46 Noble Leonard, b Jan., 
1838. 

40 HENRY. 

Henry Beecher, son of John and Susannah (Alcox) Beecher, 
married Harriet Barnes, and lives in Bristol. 

Children : 47 John, lives in Brookline, N. Y. ; 48 Joseph, lives 
in New Jersey ; 49 Dwight, lives in Bristol, Conn. 

43 BURRITT WILLIAM. 

Burritt W. Beecher, son of John and Vina (Smith) Beecher, 
married Esther A., daughter of Dea. A. H. Plumb, July 8, 1855. 

Children: 50 Arthur F., b Aug. 29, 1856, d Sept. 13, 1858; 
51 Helen A., b June 28, 1858. 



BRADLEY.* 

I TIMOTHY. 

Timothy Bradley came from North Haven to Wolcott about 
the year 1769 and resided first in a small log house. In 1772 he 
built a frame house which is still occupied by some of his descen- 
dants. He was a member of the Congregational church, a good 
citizen, and kind neighbor. (See Biog., p. 298.) 

Children : 3 Asakel ; 4 Timothy; 5 Ziba ; 6 Moses ; 7 Amasa; 
8 Anion ; 9 Chloe ; 10 Lydia ; 11 Phebe. 

2 ABEL. 

Abel Bradley was a brother of Timothy and came from North/ 
Haven to Wolcott and lived near his brother in the northern part 
of the town, on the west side of Cedar Swamp. 

Children: 12 Abigail; 13 Rosa una ; 14 John, who weighed 
three hundred pounds and was strong in proportion to his unu- 
sual weight. 

3 AS AH EL. 

Asaiiel Bradley, son of Timothy, lived in Wolcott. 
Children: 15 Asakel ; 16 Rosetta ; 17 Alpheus ; iS Barzilla ; 
19 Timothy; 20 Melinda; 21 Stephen, who had three children. 

4 TIMOTHY, JR. 

Timothy Bradley, son of Timothy, lived in Wolcott. 
Children: 22 Amasa; 23 Ziba; 24 Anion; 25 Lydia; 26 
Phebe; 27 Chloe. 

5 ZIBA. 

Ziba Bardley, son of Timothy, Senr., lived in Wolcott. 
Children : 28 Harry ; 29 Lovinia ; 30 Nancy. 

* A number of the Bradley families removed to Ohio as pioneers. 



454 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

6 MOSES. 

Moses Bradley, son of Timothy, ist, lived in Wolcott. 
Children: 31 Lue • 52 Sylvester; 33 Riley ; 34 Cynthia. 

7 amasa. 

Amasa Bradley, son of Timothy, ist, lived in Wolcott. 
Children : 35 Rachel ; 36 Harry ; 37 Jemima ; 38 Chloe. 

8 Amon. 

Amon Bradley, son of Timothy, ist, lived in Wolcott. 
Children: 39 Maria ; 40 Albert, had three children ; 41 Lewis, 
had three daughters and one son ; 42 Sally. 



15 ASAHEL, JR. 

Asahel Bradley, son of Asahel, 15th. 

Children : 43 Alphcus ; 44 Orange ; 45 Lyman ; 46 Orlando. 

18 barzilla. 

Barzilla Bradley, son of Asahel, Senr. 

Children: 47 Asahel ; 48 Herman; 49 Stephen , and two more. 

19 TIMOTHY. 

Timothy Bradley, son of Asahel, Senr. 

Children: 50 Mariette ; 51 Burwell ; 52 Emmerson. 

22 AMASA. 

Amasa Bradley, son of Timothy, Jr. 

Children: 53 Harry; 54 Levi ; 55 Rachel; 56 Jemima ; 57 
Diadama. 

23 ZIBA. 

Ziba Bradley, son of Timothy, Jr. 
Children: 58 Harry; 59 Lovinia ; 60 Nancy. 

24 AMON. 

Amon Bradley, son of Timothy, Jr. 
Children: 61 Harry; 62 Alpheus ; 63 Volney. 

33 R ILEY - 
Riley Bradley, son of Moses, and grandson of Timothy, ist. 






BROOKS. 



Henry Brooks, Sen., of Cheshire, had eight children : 2 Henry; 
3 Mary ; 4 Nabbx ; 5 Stephen ; 6 Jerusha ; 7 Phebe ; 8 Sarah : 9 
Joel. ' 

2 HENRY. 

Henry Brooks, Jr., lived in Cheshire, and had eleven children : 
10 Henry; it Allen; \2En0s; 13 Tenna; 14 Betsey; 15 Mary; 
16 Jesse; 17 Aaron; 18 John; 19 Elias, b May 2, 1796; 20 
Simeon. 

19 ELIAS. 

Elias Brooks, son of Henry, Jr., married, 1st, Juliana Ives of 
Cheshire, May 26, 1824. She was born April 19, 1806, died Jan. 
14, 1840. He married, 2d, Abigail Austin. Nov. 23, 1840. 

Children by first wife : 21 Joel, b June 20, 1825, d June, 1861 • 
22 Saninel b June 8, 1827, d Nov., 1850 ; 23 Levi, b Oct. 6, 1828, 
d April 28, 1857; 24 Aaron, b Sept. 5, 1831, d Nov. 14, 1853; 
25 Julia Ann, b June 3, 1834. Children by second wife : 26 
Martha Ada line, b Nov. 1, 1842 ; 27 Esther A., b Oct. 6, 1846, 
d June, 1850; 28 Benjamin Franklin, b March 17, 1852; 29 
Henry Elias, d an infant. 

32 457 



BRONSON.* 

I JOHN. 

John Bronson,, believed to have been one of the company who 
came with Mr. Hooker to Hartford, in 1636, was in the bloody 
Pequot battle of 1637. He removed to Tunxis (Farmington) 
about 1 641, and was one of the seven pillars at the organization 
of the Farmington church in 1652. He died Nov. 28, 1680. 
His estate was ^"312. 

Children: 2 Jacob, b Jan., 1841, m Mary and lived in 

Farmington, in the Society of Kensington ; 3 John, b Jan., 1644 ; 
4 Isaac, b Nov., 1645; 5 Mary, m Ellis; 6 Abraham, re- 
moved to Lyme, where he died at an advanced age, leaving des- 
cendants ; 7 Dorcas, m Stephen Hopkins of Hartford ; 8 Sarah. 

3 JOHN. 

John Bronson, son of the first of the name in Farmington, was 
an early settler in Mattatuck (Waterbury) where he died. 

Children: 9 y^Zv/, b 1670 ; 10 Sarah, b 1672; n Dorothy, b 
1675; 12 Ebenezer, b 1677 ■ 13 William, b 1682; 14 Moses, b 
1686; 15 Grace, b 1689. 

9 JOHN. 

John Bronson, son of John of Waterbury, removed from Wa- 
terbury to Southington, and married Rachel Buck of Weathers- 
field, Jan., 1697. 

Children : 16 John, b Nov. 21, 1698, d 17 16 ; 17 David, b Aug. 
9, 1704; 18 Jonathan, b May 14, 1706; 19 Joseph, b June 15, 
1708; 20 Rachel, b July 6, 17 10; 21 Mary, b Jan. 30, 1712; 22 
James, b Nov. 29, 17 13. 

* This name is often spelled Brownson in the early records. 



GENEALOGIES. 459 

18 Jonathan. 

Jonathan Bronson, son of John and Rachel (Buck) Bronson, 
married Abigail Clark, May 17, 1732, lived in Southington, and 

died Aug. 20, 1 75 1, ae. 45. 

Children: 23 Asakel, b Oct. 25, 1733; 2 4 ./ ;//// . bapt July 6, 
1735 j 25 Amu b March 30, 1737 ; 26 Abigail, b Feb. 18, 1739; 
27 Jonathan, b Dec. 24, 1740; 28 Son b Jan. 20, 1743, d; 29 
Zadoc, b Aug. 7. 1745; 30 Huldah, b April 18, 1747; 31 Lois, 
b Jan. 6, 1749 : 32 Isaac, b June 20, 1751. 

24 JOHN. 

John Bronson, son of Jonathan and Abigail (Clark) Bronson, 
married, March 30, 1758, Sarah Barnes. She was born Sept. 27, 
1732, and died Dec. 17, 1804, ae. 73. Mr. Bronson settled in 
Wolcott soon after his marriage, probably. The earliest deed of 
his that I have seen is dated 1762. He owned but one farm, so 
far as known, that being the one now owned by Dea. George W. 
Carter. He was a man of rigid intellectual qualities and vigorous 
physical nature. Being reared in the days of Calvinistic theology 
he was a Calvinist of the strictest sort, and having had but little 
advantages of education, he entertained, like many of his day, a 
decided prejudice against the higher departments of education, 
as disqualifying men for the more honest employments of life. 
Hence when his son Isaac desired to go to college the father was 
most decidedly opposed to it. He was a very hard worker, and 
retained marvelous strength after he was eighty years old. He 
was considerably active in the parish Society for a number of 
years after its organization. After the death of his first wife he 
married the widow of Curtiss Hall. He died Nov. 10, 1838, ae. 
103 years. 3 months, and 25 days, thereby living to be the oldest 
of any person in the town except the mother of David Norton. 

Children: ^t, Joel, b March 9, 1759, lived in Burlington, Ct. ; 
his son was the well known Dr. Bronson of that place. 34 Isaac, 
b July 19, 1 76 1 ; 35 Benjamin Barnes, b Aug*. 19, 1763, lived 
and died in Southington ; 36 JViilcnor, bapt in Southington. April 
27, 1766; 37 Hannah; 38 John, b Jan. 31, 1776. 

29 ZADOC. 

Zadoc Bronson, son of Jonathan and Abigail (Clark) Bronson, 



460 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

married Eunice Dutton Nov. 19, 1766, and settled in Wolcott, 
where he was an active man some years in the parish Society, 
serving particularly as grave digger and school committee in the 
North East District. 

Children: 39 Abigail Dutton, bapt Dec. 4, 1774; 40 Zadoc, 
bapt Oct. 6, 1776; 41 Zenas, bapt April 23, 1780; 42 Rhoda, 
bapt Oct. 16, 1785 ; 43 Eunice, bapt May 10, 1789. These 
were all baptized in Farmingbury parish ; there may have been 
others baptized in Southington. 

33 Joel- 

Joel Bronson, son of John and Sarah (Barnes) Bronson, mar- 
ried , and resided in Burlington, Conn. 

Children : 44 Ira, who married a Frisbie; 45 Samuel, m Ursula 
Humphrey ; 46 Avis, m Simeon Woodruff of Burlington, and was 
the mother of Dr. Woodruff of New Britain ; 47 Mary, m Petti- 
bone of Burlington; 48 Nancy, m Woodruff; 49 Joel ; 50 Cyn- 
thia, m Bull of Plymouth. 

34 ISAAC. 

Deacon Isaac Bronson, son of John and Sarah (Barnes) 
Bronson, married, Feb. 10, 1773, Thankful Clark (probably), the 
daughter of Israel Clark of Wolcott, who, I think, lived where 
Ransom Hall now (1874) resides. He resided much of his life 
at Wolcott Center, being one of the most active and highly 
esteemed men in the Society, church, and town, that ever lived 
in it. He died April 28, 1845, ae - 84. His widow, Thankful, 
died June 23, 1847, ae. 93- (See Biog. p. 287.) 

Children: 51 Isaac, b Aug. 18, 1784, d Oct. 13, 1802, ae. 18; 
52 Clark, b Dec. 6, 1786; 53 Irad, b Aug. 27, 1788; 54 Hannah 
C, b Aug. 25, 1790, m William Bartholomew of Northford, Conn., 
lived in Wolcott; 55 Thankful, b Oct. 28, 1792, d May 4, 1808 ; 
56 Sarah, and 57 Mary, twins, b July 28, 1795. Sarah married 
Samuel Atwater of Hamden, and removed to Windham, N. Y., 
and d 1866, and Alary, m Harry Tuttle, and lived in Cheshire, d 
Dec. 12, 1854, ae. 59; 58 Urania, b Dec. 10, 1799, m Sheldon 
Frisbie, removed to Ohio, and thence to Illinois, where she d July, 
1854, ae. 54. 

38 JOHN, JR. 

John Bronson, son of John and Sarah (Barnes) Bronson, mar- 



GENEALOGIES. 461 

ried Hannah Root of Farmington. She was born Feb. 14, 1781, 
and died Feb. 24, 1853, ae. 72. He lived in Wolcott, on his 
father's homestead, and died Nov. 25, 1866, ae. 91. 

Children : 59 Jarvis Root, b April 5, 1808 ; 60 Sarah Ann, b 
April 1, 171 1, m George \V. Carter; 61 Still man, b Sept. n, 1812 ; 
62 Pitkin, b May 2, 181 5 ; 63 Sarah Maria, b June 18, 1823, d 
Sept. 5, 1827. 

52 CLARK. 

Clark Bronson, son of Isaac and Thankful (Clark) Bronson, 
married. May 24, 18 13, Fxperience Hart of Burlington, Conn. 
She was born July 9, 1792, and died in Wolcott, Jan. 13, 1864. 
He resided in Wolcott the greater part of his life, and was an ac- 
tive and honored man in the church and community. He died 
in Hartford, Jan. 20, 1868, ae. 82. 

Children : 64 Isaac If., b April 28, 1814, d Dec, 29, 1814; 65 
Oliver H., b Jan. 24, 1816 ; 66 Sylvia M, b Feb. 5, 1818, d Feb. 
19, 1819 ; 67 Sylvia M, b March 13, 1820, d March 3, 1829 ; 68 
Robert Clark, b March 29, 1825, d March 12, 1850; 69 Betsey 
B. Tuttle, adopted daughter, b Sept. 1, 1835, resides in Litchfield. 

53 IRAD - 

Deacon Irad Bronson, son of Isaac and Thankful (Clark) 
Bronson, married Phebe Norton of Bristol, Nov. 6, 181 1. He 
was deacon of the church in Wolcott nine years, and was highly 
esteemed. He removed to Southington, thence to Bristol, where 
he still resides, being in his 86th year. 

Children : 70 Phebe L., b Nov. 8, 1812, m Dr. William A. Al- 
cott. June 14, 1836; 71 Isaac, b May 15, 1815, is married, and 
resides in Bristol, no children; 72 Elizabeth T., b Jan. 27, 18 18, 
not married. 

59 JARVIS ROOT. 

Jarvis R Bronson, son of John and Hannah (Root) Bronson, 
married Esther P., daughter of John Beecher of Wolcott, June 
24, 1835, and resides in the northeast part of the town, retaining 
distinctly some of the characteristics of the Bronson family. 

Children : 73 Lyman B., b Oct. 7, 1836; 74 Son, b Nov. 6, 
1843, d ; 75 Martha Elton, an adopted daughter, b Oct. 2, 1838. 



/ 
462 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

6 1 STILLMAN. 

Stillman Bronson, son of John and Hannah (Root) Bronson, 
married Charlotte R. Lindsley of Wolcott, March 29, 1840, and 
resides in the northeast part of the town. 

Children : 76 Emerson K., b March 21, 1841, d Feb. 21, 1846 ; 
77 Lucy S.. b June 26, 1843, m Benjamin C. Lum, Oct. 31, 1867, 
and resides in New Haven, having a son, William S., b Aug. 2, 
1868, and daughter, Charlotte C, b Nov. 6, 187 1 ; 78 Harriet Z., 
b Dec. 7, 1844, d Nov. 10, 1869 ; 79 E. Bruce, b Feb. 23, 1847, 
d Oct. 7, 1862 j 80 Benjamin Z., b July 16, 1849; 8l EllioU, b 
May 13, 185 1 ; 82 Esther L. M., b July 16, 1853, d Oct. 25, 
1869 ; 83 Edith M, b Nov. 1, i860. 

62 PITKIN. 

Pitkin Bronson, son of John and Hafnnah (Root) Bronson, 
married Sarah Merriam, and lives in Waterbury. 

Children: 84 John T. ; 85 Edward P.; 86 Nellie ; 87 Willie. 

65 OLIVER HART. 

Oliver H. Bronson, son of Clark and Experience (Hart) Bron- 
son, married Emily Munson of Wallingford, Ct., Nov. 14, 1840. 
He learned the trade of carriage making of Chauncy Munson of 
Wallingford, and afterwards married his eldest daughter. He re- 
sided a short time in Meriden and removed thence to Waterbuiy 
where, in 1841, he established a carriage business which he car- 
ried on successfully until about 1852 when he engaged in the Wa- 
terbury Lumber and Coal Co., where he remained until 1863. 
He then removed to Hartford and opened a coal yard, in which 
business he continued until his death, Nov. 28, 1867. His widow 
still resides in Hartford. 

Children: 88 Henry Trumbull, b Sept. 18, 1842; 89 Alice Em- 
ily, b April 21, 1848 j 90 Lillie Martha, b March 6, 1859, d May 
31, 1862; 91 Arthur Hart, b May 14, 1865. 

73 LYMAN B. 

Deacon Lyman B. Bronson, son of Jarvis R. and Esther P. 
(Beecher) Bronson married Martha A., daughter of Mark Tuttle, 
Jan. 1, 1859. He united with the church when thirteen years of 
age, and was active and very successful in his church relations. 



GENEALOGIES. 463 

At the time of his death he was deacon of the church, superinten- 
dent of the Sunday school, and one of the most reliable and valu- 
able young men of the community, and many persons remarked 
concerning him, that " Any one could be more easily spared than 
he." After a few days sickness with diphtheria he closed his 
earthly life May 27, 1866. 

Children: 92 Edward L., b May 18, i860; 93 Esther Ardelia. 
b Aug. 27, 1862, d June 23, 1866. 

88 HENRY TRUMBULL. 

Henry T. Bronson, son of Oliver H. and Emily (Munson) 
Bronson, married Ellen Amelia Philips of New York, June 10, 
1869, and resides in Hartford, Ct. He enlisted, in Aug., 1862, 
in the 23d Connecticut Volunteers, and served as 1st Sergeant of 
Co. A, one year, about New Orleans, under Gen. Banks, and a 
part of the time in erecting fortifications under Gen. Weitzel. 

Children : 94 Oliver Hart, b March 26, 1870; 95 William 
Henry, b Sept. 28. 1S71 ; 96 Helen Chauncey, b Jan. 3, 1873. 



BROWN. 

William H. Brown, born March 5, 1828, in Boston; married 
Mary A. E. Richards, April n, 187 1. Resides half a mile south 
of Wolcott Center. 

Child: Willie, b Jan. 16, 1872, d Oct. 17, 1872. 



I JOHN. 

John Brown was born July 4, 1844, in Maryland. He mar- 
ried, August 13, 1866, Sarah Ann Pratt of Cheshire, born Jan. 1, 
1848. They reside near Mr. Isaac Hough's, on the road from 
Wolcott to Waterbury. 

Children: 2 George Winfield, b July 14, 1868; 3 Nellie Ann, 
b May 10, 1870. 



BYINGTON. 



I DANIEL. 



Daniel Byington, Senr., bom Sept. 18, 17 11, was son of Jon- 
athan of Branford, came to Wolcott, and was one of the leading 
men in organizing the parish of Farmingbury, and lived at the 
•' mill place." He was chosen clerk of the Society at its first 
meeting, and held that office one year, after which his son accept- 
ed it. He and his wife Sarah united with the church in May after 
its organization. He appears to have been a mechanic, and to 
have had a shop for the construction and repairing of various 
wooden articles of use in those days. He died Nov. n, 1781, 
but no grave-stone with an inscription marks his resting-place, for 
at most of the graves constructed in those early times there were 
only small field-stones placed without any inscriptions. 

Children: 2 Daniel; 3 Samuel. 

2 DANIEL, JR. 

Daniel Byington, Jr., married Elizabeth Hall, daughter of the 
first settler of that name in Wolcott. He was clerk of the Society 
twenty-six or seven years, and was on committees of various kinds 
for many years. His mechanical skill, and that of his son Daniel, 
was celebrated for years for the making of the "great wheels" for 
spinning wool, and the "little wheels" for" spinning flax. (See 
note, page 71.) 

Children: 4 Moses; $Jared; 6 Jonah; 7 Heman; 8 Daniel; 
9 Anne, all baptized March 20, 1774; 10 Elizabeth, bapt July 30, 
1775; n Rufus, bapt June 14, 1778; 12 Lydia, bapt June 10, 
17S1 ; 13 Zebulon, bapt Feb. 1.3, 1785; 14 Active, bapt Oct. 26, 
1788. 

33 465 



466 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

3 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Byington, son of Daniel Byington, Senr., married 

Olive , and had a farm and " tavern," or public house, at 

Wolcott Center. Many of the business meetings of the Society 
were held at his house. 

Children: 15 Abraham, bapt July 19, 1789; 16 Adnah, bapt 
Nov. 27, 1791. 

8 DANIEL, 3D. 

Daniel Byington, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hall) Bying- 
ton, married Susy , and lived at the mill place, and was a 

mechanic with his father. 

Children : 17 Zina, b July 20, 1795; 18 Amy, b Oct. 28, 1797 ; 
19 Hiram, b Aug. 19, 1800. By second wife : 20 Polly, b Sept. 3, 
1805- 21 Randal, b Sept. 15, 1806; 22 Wells, b Nov. 8, 1808; 
23 Coral, b June 12, 1811 : 24 Ambrose Ives, b Feb. 18, 1813; 
25 William Robinson, b July 25, 1814. 



CARTER. 

I JACOB, 1ST. 

Jacob Carter came from Southold, L. I., to Branford, Conn., 
and married Dorcas Tyler, Dec. 4, 17 12. She died 1735 or 6. 

Children: 2 Sarah, b Feb. 4. 17 14; 3 Jacob, 2d, b Nov. 26, 
1 7 16; 4 Abel, b June 4, 17 18. 

3 JACOB, 2D. 

Jacob Carter, son of Jacob and Dorcas (Tyler) Carter, married 
Mary, daughter of Stephen Barnes, 2d, and settled in the south 
part of Southington, where he died July 6, 1796. Mary, his wife, 
died Oct. 23. 1788, ae.62. 

Children : $ Jacob, b May 1, 1745; 6 Sarah, b Sept. 16, 1747 ; 
7 Step/wit, b July it. 1 749 ; 8 Jonathan, b May 20, 1751 ; 9 Ithiel, 
b Aug. r, 1753, lived in Warren, and later in Torrington and 
other parts; 10 Isaac, b May 12, 1757; n Levi, b Sept. 23, 1762. 
These all settled in Wolcott. 12 Elihu, bapt March 18, 1759, 
lived in Southington.* 

4 ABEL. 

Abel Carter, son of Jacob and Dorcas (Tyler) Carter, married 
Mary Coach April 17, 1739. 

Children: 13 Dorcas, b June 28, 1739; 14 John, b Nov. 20, 
r 741 ; 15 Daniel, b May 29, 1744; 16 Abel, b March 21, 1747. 

5 JACOB, 3D. • 

Jacob Carter, son of Jacob and Mary (Barnes) Carter, mar- 
ried Mary Hitchcock, and settled on East Mountain, Wolcott. 
His wife, Mary, was killed by being thrown from a wagon in 



* For these names see Town Records of Branford ami Southington. 



468 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Becket, Mass., in 1818. After her death he lived with his child- 
ren in the latter place. 

Children: 17 Preserve, b Feb. 24, 1773; 18 Marcus, b July 28, 
1774, removed to Massachusetts, thence to New York and Michi- 
gan; 19 Rhoda, b Nov. 6, 1775, m Washington Upson ; 20 Mary, 
b Feb. 1 6, 7781; 21 Uri, b June 15, 1782; 22 Gains, and 23 
Loami, twins, b Dec. 2, 1785. 

7 STEPHEN. 

Stephen Carter, son of Jacob and Mary (Barnes) Carter, 

married Triphena Upson, June 2d, 1779, and lived for a time 
where Dea. Miles S. Upson does, and afterward he lived near 

Mahlon Hotchkiss' present dwelling. They are all removed from 
Wolcott. 

Children: 24 Stephen, bapt Jan. 15, 1786; 25 Reuben, bapt 
Jan. 15, 1786. 

8 JONATHAN. 

Jonathan Carter, son of Jacob and Mary (Barnes) Carter, 
married Abigail Moulthrop, Jan. 10, 1776, and lived in Wolcott. 

Children: 26 Joel, b Dec. 5, 1778; 27 Ira, b May 4, 1781 ; 28 
Asa, bapt July 4, 1784; 29 Eli, b Oct. 5, 1786. 

IO ISAAC. 

Isaac Carter, son of Jacob and Mary (Barnes) Carter, mar- 
ried • . 

Children: 30 Seth, b March 17, 1783 ; 31 Sybil, b Jan. 8, 1785 ; 
32 Zera, b April 17, 1787; 33 Salmon, and 34 Salma, twins, b 
April 20, 1789. 

12 ELIHU. 

Elihu Carter, son of Jacob and Mary (Barnes) Carter, mar- 
ried Mercy Scott, Jan. 29, 1789. She died Nov. 10, 1789. He 
married, 2d, Sarah Hopkins, Nov. 2d, 1790. 

Children by first wife : 35 Polly, m Nathan Lewis. Children 
by second wife: 36 Mary, b Oct. 24, 1789; 37 Mercy, b Dec. 22, 
1 791, m John Howd; 38 Hopkins, b Dec. n, 1794, married Phila 
Frisbie; 39 Asa/iel, m Aurelia Pond; 40 Janette, b Sept. 5, 1803, 
m Timothy Higgins, Nov. 4, 1824. 



GENEALOGIES. 469 

17 PRESERVE. 

Major Preserve Carter, son of Jacob and Mary (Hitchcock) 
Carter, married Polly Wood, of Bristol, and resided in Wolcott. 
He was a man of considerable influence in the church, Society, 
and town, and maintained the dignity and honor characteristic in 
the Carter family. 

Children: 41 Preserve IV. , who died in Waterbury ; 42 Polly 

II'., m ■ Crofts, of Waterbury, has children Edward, Margaret, 

and Mrs. Frederick Norton; 43 C H . 



Uri Carter, son of Jacob and Mary (Hitchcock) Carter, mar- 
ried L. S. Baxter, of Wolcott, died Feb. 6, 1835. She died March 
.7, 1867. * 

Children : 44 George W., b Jan. 18, 181 1 ; 45 Henry J., b Feb. 
17, 1813 ; 46 John J/., b Oct. 2, 1815 ; 47 Mary E., b March 
12, 18 18, married William W. Steel, and has children Fannie and 
Truman; 4S L. Salina, b Feb. 25, 1820; 49 Cyrus If., b Oct. 
19, 1822. 

2 2 GAIUS. 

Gaius Carter, son of Jacob and Mary (Hitchcock) Carter, 
married Hannah Perkins of Wolcott, and removed to Becket, 
Mass. 

Children: 50 Mark; 51 Stephen; 52 Mary; 53 Lydia. 

2T, LOAMI. 

Loami Carter, son of Jacob and Mary (Hitchcock) Carter, 
married Marcia, daughter of David Harrison, of Wolcott. 
Children: 54 Ezra; 55 Esther ; 56 Joel; 57 Trad; 58 Ami. 

44 GEORGE WILLIS. 

Deacon George W. Carter, son of Uri and L. S. (Baxter) 
Carter, married Sarah A. Bronson, who died March 12, 1868. 
Married, 2d, Mary P. Baldwin, May 10, 1871. She was born 
March 27, 1823. He is deacon of the church, and has served the 
Society continuously, as clerk and treasurer, over twenty years. 
Has been a senator and representative in the State Legislature. 

Children : 59 Henry B., b Dec. 2, 1839; 6° Mary M, b May 



470 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

23d, 1842, m George W. Walker; 61 Sarah S., b May 23, 1842, 
d Aug. 24, 1866 ; 62 Hanna/i J., b Jan. 26, 1844, m Elmer Hotch- 
kiss : 63 Frederick W., b Oct. 27, 1845; 64 Walter S., b "Dec. 3, 

1853, d May 8, 1855. 

45 HENRY J. 

Henry J. Carter, son of Uri and L. S. (Baxter) Carter, mar- 
ried Mary Elton, of Burlington, and removed to Michigan, in 
1840 ; has three children. 

46 JOHN M. 

John M. Carter, son of Uri and L. S. (Baxter) Carter, mar- 
ried, removed to New Madrid, Missouri, and died Feb., 1865, 
leaving three chddren. His wife's death occurred previous to his. 

59 HENRY b. 

Henry B. Carter, son of George W. and Sarah A. (Bronson) 
Carter, married Mary R., daughter of Stiles L. Hotchkiss, Feb. 1, 
i860, and resides near his father-in-law's home. 

Child : 65 Charles H. 



CHURCHILL 

I DAVID. 

David Chuuchill married Sarah, daughter of Jesse Aleox, 
Senr., and lived near Amos Seward's. 

Children: 2 Ruth, b Aug. 31, 1787; 3 Clara, b Jan. 8, 1789; 
4 Ithimar, b May 18. 1790; 5 Mi/ton. b Nov. 15, 1791 ; 6 Lewis, 
b Oct 8, 1793; 7 Polly, b Aug. 29, 1795. d Sept. 5. 1795; 8 
/V/r. 1) Jan. 28, 1797; 9 Sally, 1> July 3, 1798; 10 Alfna, 11 
.//Av/, \i Alfred, triplets, b May 28, 1804: Albert d Aug. 16, 
1804. This is the only case of triplets I have found on YYolcott 
records. 

12 ALFRED. 

Alfred Churchill, son of David and Sarah (Alcox) Churchill. 
married. 

Children: 13 Eveline, b Oct. 3, 1830; 14 Newell />'.. b July 
11. 1833: 15 Dennis A., b Feb. 5, 1837. 
47' 



CURTISS. 



Abel Curtiss married Anne Alcox, and lived on a farm a lit- 
tle west of the "mill place," where he died. 

Children: i Deborah, b Dec. 31, 1771, m Zephaniah Parker; 
2 Abel, b Nov. 29, 1773; 3 John, b Dec. 7, 1775; 4 Anna, b 
Nov. 23, 1778, m Truman Sanford, and had children Pamelia, 
Triphena, Maria, Curtiss, Rhoda, Manila, Ruel, Rufus ■ 5 Sylvia, 
b Dec. 9, 1780, m Silas Merrill of Wolcott ; 6 Isaac, b Feb. 11, 
1783, removed to New York; 7 Joel, b Sept. 21, 1786; 8 Bar- 
tholomew, b April 19, 1788, m Brockett, and removed; 9 

Roxanna, b April 28, 1790, m William Parker, March 22, 1808, 
lived a time in Wolcott. 

3 JOHN. 

John Curtiss, son of Abel and Anne (Alcox) Curtiss, married, 
and lived on the old homestead, where he died. 
Children: 10 Carlos ; it Augustus; 12 one other. 

7 JOEL. 

Joel Curtiss, son of Abel and Anne (Alcox) Curtiss, married 
Hannah, daughter of David Pardee, and removed to Cairo, N. Y., 
where he died. His wife died in Illinois. 

Children: 13 Polly ; 14 Harriet; 15 George ; 16 Elmira ; 17 
Anson; 18 Ann Eliza. 
472 



FAIRCLOUGH. 

Joseph Fairclough was horn in Birmingham, England, Feb. 
16, [792, and married Elizabeth Mills, Oct. 1, 1817. They came 
to New York early in 1828. He died. Nov., 1865, in Waterbury. 

Children: 1 John, b in England, July 10, 1818; 2 Mary, b in 
England, Jan. 28. 1820, married, 1st, Laurin Russell, March [9, 
1X41 ; 2d, Edward de Bellefonds, Aug. 7, 1848; 3 Charles, bin 
England, Jan. 19, 1822, d [an. 20, 1822; 4 Susanna. 1) in Eng- 
land, Jan. 24. 1825, m Thomas Royce, Feb. 18. 1844; 5 Charles 
S., 1) Feb. 17. 1828, in New York ; 6 Thomas, b Feb. 1 1, 1831 ; 7 
Joseph, b Sept. 6, 1833; 8 Matthew, b March 13, 1834, d Sept. 
25, 1836; 9 James, b March it, 1837, d July 4, 1863, not mar- 
ried ; to refer, b Nov. 4, 1841, d Nov. n, 1841. 

I JOHN. 

John Fairclough, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Mills) Fair- 
clough. m Lavinia Merrill, P'eb. 17, 1844, and resides in Water- 
bury. 

5 CHARLES S. 

Charles S. Fairclough, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Mills) 
Fairclough, married Fliza Rrodrick. 

6 THOMAS. 

Thomas Fairclough, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Mills) 
Fairclough, married Elizabeth Ann Kahoe. April 4, 1859, in New- 
York ; now resides in Wolcott. 

7 JOSEPH. 
fosKi'ii Fairclough, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Mills) Fair- 

34 473 



474 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

clough, married Catharine A. Baldwin, July 2, 1857- lives in 
Wolcott. 

Children: n Mary E.,b March 26, 1859, d May 25, 1864; 

12 Charles S., b March 24, 1861 : 13 Harriet A, b May 3, 1863 ; 

14 Benjamin E, b Oct. 8. 1865 ; 15 Henry H.. b March 15. 1868 ; 

16 Emma J., b Sept. 17, 1870; 17 Laura £., b Nov. 15, 1872. 



1 INCH. 



I GIDEON. 



Gideon Finch was born Oct. 23, 1743. and married, in Wol- 
cott, Abigail, daughter of Joseph Atkins. Senr., and settled in 
Wolcott. She was born Aug 19, 1745. 

Children: 2 Isaac, b Feb. 6, 1769; 3 Samuel, 1> 177 1, d young; 
4 Gideon, b Jan. 6, 1775, removed to Ohio ; 5 Abigail, b Feb. 16, 
1 7 7 S . m Daniel Hall of Waterbury; 6 Samuel, b Dec. 2, 1780; 
7 Joel, b June 21, 1783, d in Wolcott, not married; 8 Jerusha, b 
Feb. 5, 1786, d in Wolcott, not married; 9 Adah, b Dec. 16, 
d in Wolcott. not married. 

6 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Finch, son of Gideon and Abigail (Atkins) Finch, 
married Sarah Dames of Waterbury, and lived on a farm half a 
mile the ■"mill place." He died April 22, 1841, ae. 60. 

ilis wife. Sarah, was born May 5. 1786, died Dec. 26, 1870, ae. 

84 

Children : 10 Sarah A, b Dec. 29, 1804, m 1st, William IJlakes- 

Munson Wilcox: 11 Chloe />'.. b June 24, 1807, m Albin 

Alcott; 12 Samuel r/..'b Aug. 23, 1S10. d Aug. 10. 1827; [3 

Lucian A'., b March 19, 1813, resides in New Haven; 14 Eliza 

/., 1) Dec. 1 X. 1S18. m Hendrick Norton; 15 Benjamin F.,b 

Sept. 24, 1821 ; 16 George A'., b Jan. 30. 1827, d Jan. 12, 1828. 

13 LUCIAN R. 

Lucian R. Finch, son of Samuel and Sarah (Barnes) Finch, 
married, Feb. 18. 1837. Charlotte, daughter of Chauncey Turner, 

of Susquehannah Co.. l'enn. She was born Sept. 28, 1S16. He 



476 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

resides in New Haven, and is a commission merchant in New 
York city. 

Children: 17 Leroy IV., b Jan. 18, 1839; l8 Henry T. b June 
24, 1843, in Sarah Barker of Glens Falls, N. Y., July 2, 1873 ; 19 
Edward /.., b May 31, 1845; 20 George Chauncey, b Nov. 1, 
1S52, d July 28, 1854, at New Haven, Conn. 

15 P.ENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 

Benjamin F. Finch, son of Samuel and Sarah (Barnes) Finch, 
married Janette Hall of Plymouth, daughter of Sherman Hall, 
and grand-daughter of Jonathan Hall, of Wallingford. He re- 
sides on his father's homestead. 

17 LEROY W. 

Leroy W. Finch, son of Lucian R. and Charlotte (Turner) 
Finch, married, Oct. 14, 1862, Martha H. Hunter of Montgomery 
Co., Md. She died Aug. 15, 1870. He died July 19, 1872. 

Child: 21 Lucian /, b April 5, 1867, living with his grand- 
parents. 

19 EDWARD L. 

Edward L. Finch, son of Lucian R. and Charlotte (/Turner) 
Finch, married Anna R. Crane, of New York City, Feb. 12, 1873. 
Child: 22 Edward Ridley, b Nov. 15, 1873. 



FRISBIE. 

I JOHN'. 

John Frisbie, and Abigail Culpepper, his wife, came from 
-IV ales, and settled in Branford, Conn. 

2 ELIJAH. 

Elijah Frisbie, son of John and Abigail (Culpepper) Frisbie, 
married, ist, Abigail Culver, who died April 19, 1771 ; 2d, .Eliza- 
beth Ives, who died Oct. II, 1770. He married. 3d, I.vdia Red- 
field. He came from Branford to Wolcott, in 1759, and lived on 
the road to Waterbury, near John Frisbie's present residence. 
He died Feb. 15, 1800, ae. 81. 

Children: 3 Esther, 1> 1743, d 1795; 4 Jitdah, b Sept. 12, 
(o. s.) 1744; 5 Reuben, 1> 1746; 6 Abigail, m Dan Tuttle ; 7 
Charles, b 1752 ; 8 Hannah, m Elnathan Thrasher, and lived in 
Woodtick, on the farm now owned by Orrin Hall, and had child- 
ren, John. Abigail, Betsey. Hannah, and Elnathan; 9 Sarah,, m 
[chabod Merrill; \o John, b 1762. 

4 JUDAH. 

Judaii Frisbie, son of Elijah and Abigail (Culver) frisbie. 
married Hannah, daughter of Israel Baldwin of Buck's Hill, Aug. 
12. 1779, and settled in Woodtick. (See Biog., p 303.) 

Children: ir Mary, b 1780, m Abner Hotchkiss ; 12 David. 
b Jan. 12 (o. S.), 1782; [3 Hannah, b Nov. 10. 1783, rn Orrin 
Jackson, and had children, Northrop, Mary M.. Andrew I!.. Kris 
bie J., Eliza, Orrin H., Hannah J.; \^ Jitdah, d 1829. 

5 REUBEN. 

Reuben Frisbie, son of Elijah and Abigail (Culver) frisbie. 



47$ HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

married, ist, Hannah Wakelee, born 1751, d 1778- 2d, Ruth, 
daughter of Amos Seward, June 3d, 1779. She died 1833. He 
died 1824. 

Children by first wife: 15 Elizabeth, m Mark Warner; 16 
Daniel, m Eunice Hill; 17 Ebenezer, m Deborah Twitchell : 
[8 Abigail, m Sanford. By second wife: 19 Polly, m Dan- 
iel Jackson; 20 Samuel, m ist, Isabella Barnes, 2d, Margaret 
Conner; 21, A'///'//, m Riley Alcott; 22 .Sir/VY. m Zara Warden. 

7 CHARLES. 

Charles Frisbie, son of Elijah and Abigail (Culver) Frisbie, 
married Lydia Alcott. He died 1799, ae. 47. His widow mar- 
ried Capt. Nathaniel Lewis. 

Children: 23 Ransom ; 24 Polly; 25 Isaac ; 26 Sheldon, ist, 
din infancy; 27 Sheldon, 2d; 28 Charles. 

IO JOHN. 

John Frisbie, son of Elijah and Abigail (Culver) Frisbie, mar- 
ried Rosanna Alcott, Jan. 4, 1787. He died in 1846, ae. 84. 

Children: 29 Levi, d Nov. 14, 1852; 30 Amanda, m Green 
Perkins, had children, Rosanna, Mark, Parle)', m Dr.- Byington of 
Wolcott, and later of Southington; 31 Esther, m Salmon Johnson, 
had children, Charlotte, John F., Charles; 32 James, d Dec, 1862; 
33 Parley, m Leonard Beecher, had children, Merritt, Noble; 34 
Ira. 

12 DAVID. 

David Frisbie, son of Judah and Hannah (Baldwin) Frisbie, 
married Leva Hall, Feb., 1805. He lived on his father's home- 
stead. 

Children : 35 Samira, b Aug. 10, 1806, m Joel Johnson. Aug. 
11, 1825, and removed to California, where both died, leaving 
three sons: 36 Hannah K, b Nov. 15, 1810, m Oct. 10, 1829, 
Carlos R. Byington of Southington. d Nov. 10, 1870. leaving 
three sons; 37 Almira, b Nov. 17, 1812, m David Somers, Oct, 
16, 1830; 38 David B., b July 19, 1S14. 

27 SHELDON. 

Sheldon Frisbie, son of Charles and Lydia (Alcott) Frisbie, 
married Urana Bronson. 



GENEALOGIES. 17<» 

Children: 39 Isaac; 40 Bronson ; 41 She/don. 

34 IRA. 

Ira Frisbie, sun of John and Rosanna (Alcott) Frisbie, mar- 
ried Sarah E. Hotchkiss, Dec. 20, 1826. He died July 6, 1863. 

Children: 42 John, d in infancy; 43 Emogene ; ^Elizabeth, 
b Jan. 21, [832; 45 John, 1) Oct. 1. 1838. 

38 DAVID B. 

David B. Frisbie, son of David and Leva (Hall} Frisbie, mar- 
ried Charlotte Hall of Cheshire, and lived on his father's hi 

stead. 

Children: 46 Darn/ /... b March 15, 1841. 

46 DAVID L. 

David L. Frisbie, son of David B. and Charlotte (Hall) Fris- 
bie. married Ann Downes of Waterbury, Oct. 8. 1868. and lives on 
the old homestead. 

Children: 47 Frank David,h Dee. 30, 1870; 48 Berkley Levi, 
b March 8, 1874. 



FROST. 



1 DAVID, SENR. 



David Frost, Senr., was born Sept. 5, 1742, and married Mary 
-, born Dec. 22, 1740. They lived three miles east of Water 



bury, on Southington road, at a. place now called East Farms. 
He died Dec. 15, 1812. His wife, Mary, died Feb. 6, 1819, ae. 

79- 

Children: 2 Jesse, b Oct. 18, 1762, became a Baptist minister, 
living not far from his father's home ; is well and favorably re- 
membered by the old people now living; 3 Enoch, b Jan. 8, 1765 
lived in town of Waterbury; 4 David, b March 1, 1767, settled 
on Southington mountain; 5 Naomi, b July 1, 1770; 6 Mary, b 
March 24, 1775, d Sept. 14, 1778; 7 Mary,b March 11, 1780. 

4 DAVID, JR. 

David Frost, son of David and Mary Frost, married Mary 
Ann, daughter of David Hitchcock of Southington. He settled 
on Southington mountain, a little north of Capt Nathaniel Lewis, 
and was a man of considerable responsibility and influence in the 
town. He died March, 18, 1850, ae. 83. His wife, Mary Ann, 
was born June 14, 1770, and died Nov. 24, 1832, ae. 62. 

Children: 8 Naomi, b Aug. 10, 1792, m Neal ; 9 -Levi 

Brown, b Aug. 21, 1794; 10 Lucy, b March 29, 1797, m Seth 
Alcox ; 11 David Hitchcock, b Oct. 16, 1799; 12 Martha, b Feb. 
14, 1803, d Aug. 16, 1803 ; 13 Patty, b Nov. 4, 1804, m Herrick 
Payne; 14 Sylvester, b May 8, 1807; 15 Polly Ann, b Aug. 31, 
1809. 

9 LEVI BROWN. 

Levi B. Frost, son of David and Mary Ann (Hitchcock) Frost, 

480 



GENEALOGIES. 48 1 

married Sylvia, (laughter of Capt. Nathaniel Lewis, and lived in 
Marion, Southington. 

Children: 16 Tra Sylvester, b Aug. 20, 1820; 17 James £,., b 
Aug. 15, 1823. d Sept. 24, 1843; x 8 Lewis Hall, b March 10, 
1826; 19 Levi Dwight, b Oct. 10, 1830; 20 Reuben Thomas, b 
Aug. 20, 1835; 21 Mary Ami. b July 17. 1841, m Lewis Dailey 
<>f Watertown, Conn. 

18 LEWIS HALL. 

Lewis H. Frost, son of Levi B. and Sylvia (Lewis) Frost, mar- 
ried Adaline Lewis; resides in Marion. 
Children: 22 Lewis E. ; 23 James. 

[9 LEVI DWIGHT. 

Levi I). Kknsr. son of Levi B. and Sylvia (Lewis) Frost, mar- 
ried Cornelia Thorp ; resides in Marion. 

Children : 24 Cora M., b June 4, 1859] 25 Edson /.., b April 
1 1, 1862 ; 26 Edgar IV., b June 9, 1864; 27 Cornelia C, b Sept. 
26, 1866, d Aug. 5, 1868; 28 Cornelia G., b Jan. 22, 1869. 

20 REUBEN THOMAS. 

Reuben T. Frost, son of Levi B. and Sylvia (Lewis) Frost, 
married Helen Stever of Bristol ; lives in Marion. 
Child: 29 Helen J., b May 22, 1874. 

35 



GILLET. 

Nathan and Jonathan came from England to Dorchester, Mass., 
in 1630. Nathan was admitted freeman in Dorchester in 1634, 
and removed to Windsor in 1635, and afterward removed to Sims- 
bury where his wife died Feb. 21, 1670. 

Children: 1 Elizabeth, b Oct. 6, 1639; 2 Abia, b Aug. 22, 
1641 ; 3 Rebecca, b June 14, 1646, d July 13, £647 ; 4 Elias, bapt 
July 1, 1649; 5 Sarah, bapt July 13, 165 1 ; .6 Benjamin, b Aug. 
29, 1653 ; 7 Nathan, b Aug., 1655; 8 Rebecca, b Dec. 8, 1657. 

7 NATHAN, JR. 

Nathan Gillet, Jr., son of Nathan the emigrant, married, ist, 
Rebecca Owen, June 13, 1692 • 2d, Hannah Buckland. 

Children by first wife : 9 Isaac, b Aug. 2, 1693; 10 Dinah, b 
Oct. 18, 1696. By second wife : 11 Azariah. b March 28, 1705 ; 
12 Ann, b April 3, 1707 ; 13 Zabed, b April 6, 17 10 ; 14 Hannah. 
b Aug. 11, 1712; 15 Gothiniel, b Jan. 7. 17 14; 16 Gideon, b 
Aug. 12, 17 17. 

9 ISAAC. 

Isaac Gillet, son of Nathan and Rebecca (Owen) Gillet, mar- 
ried Elizabeth Griswold Oct. 29, 17 19. His will was dated Dec. 
24, 1762. 

Children: 17 Isaac, b May 16, 1720, married Honora Stephens 
Dec. 28, 1742; 18 Zaccheus, b Dec. 18, 1724; 19 Jacob, b Jan. 
29, 1726; 20 Elizabeth, b Feb. 2, 1728; 21 Ava, b Dec. 28. 1731, 
d Dec. 28, 1736; 22 Ava. b Dec. 10, 1739. 

18 ZACCHEUS. 

Zaccheus Gillet, son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Griswold) Gillet. 
married, 1st, Ruth Phelps, Dec. 15. 1743 ; 2d, widow Sarah Dean 



GENEALOGIES. 483 

ofWolcott, Dec. 17. 1778. He resided in Granby until 1773 or 
1774. when he removed to Wolcott. He died Jan. 7. 1793. 

Children: 23 Zaccheus, b Nov. u, [745; 24 Ava, b Oct. 4, 
17.(7. d Sept. 3, 1748; 25 Alexander, b Aug. 14, 1749; 26 Ruth, 
b Sept. 29, 175 r; 27 Mary, b Aug. 4. 1753, m Josiah Atkins, 
ofWolcott, Nov. 25, 1779; 28 Nathan,h Sept. 29, 1755'; 29 Eli- 
zabeth, 1> March 30, 1758. m Elkanah Smith of 'Wolcott. July 26, 
1 781; 30 Benoni, b July 23, 1760; 31 Anne, b Jan. 3, 1763, m 
George Cornish. <1 March 13, 1793; 32 Rachel, b Nov. 28, 1764, 
in Noah U/.za Norton, April 22, 1784; 33 Timothy, b July 21, 
1770. <1 April 22. 1780. 

25 ALEXANDER. 

Rev. Alexander Gillet, son of Zaccheus and Ruth (Phelps) 

Gillet, married Adah, daughter of Deacon Josiah Rogers, Dec. 3, 

1778. He died Jan. 19. 1826. in the 77th year of his age and the 

titty-third of his ministry. His wife, Adah, died May 10, 1831;, 

1 77. (See Biog., p. 313). 

Children : 34 Timothy Phelps, b June 15, 1780, d Nov. 5, 1866, 
ae. 86. (See Biog., p. 322.) 35 Asaph, b Oct. 15, 1782, d Aug. 
21, 1846, ae. 64; 36 Esther, b May 26, 1785. d Dec. 30, 1834, 
ae. 50; 37 Atlah, b Oct. 10, 1787, still living, being in her 87th 
year; 7,8 Elias, b June 11, 1792, d Oct. 26, 187 1, ae. 79; 39 Ma- 
rianna, b Jan. 13, 1796, d Nov. 4, 1815, ae. nearly 20. 

23 ZACCHEUS. 

Zaccheus Gillet, son of Zaccheus and Ruth (Phelps) Gillet. 

married Elizabeth , and lived in Wolcott, where five of his 

children were baptized. 

Children: 40 Zaeeheus Phelps, bapt May 8, 1777; 41 Sarah 
Thrasher, bapt Oct. 14, 1781 ; 42 Dinah Holcomb, bapt Oct. 3, 
1784; 43 Selina, bapt July 15, 1787; 44 Rachel, bapt Oct. 28, 
1790. 

28 NATHAN. 

Nathan Gillet, son of Zaccheus and Ruth (Phelps) Gillet, 
married Lucy, daughter of Dea. Aaron Harrison of Wolcott, 
April 16, 1779. 

30 BENONI. 

Benoni Gillet, son of Zaccheus and Ruth (Phelps) Gillet, 



484 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

married Phebe Dean, daughter of his father's second wife, Oct. 
16, 1783, and, after some years settled in Fair Haven, Conn., 
where he died. 

Children : 45 Theophilus, and 46 another brother, went to St. 
Augustine, Florida, one being captain and the other an officer on 
a vessel. They were invited to tea, and the next day they died, 
having been poisoned. 47 John was a merchant in Dublin, 120 
miles west of Savannah, Ga., where he became wealthy, and then 
returned to Fair Haven, Conn. He was afterward one of a firm 
called "Gillet, Hotchkiss, & Tuttle." They purchased a large- 
tract of land at Nauvoo, 111., to which place Mr. Gillet removed. 
48 Merritt lived awhile in Georgia. 49 Marcus went to Florida, 
and was a successful merchant, and died there leaving children. 



HALL. 

Lieut. Heman Hall, the first of the Halls in Wolcott, was the 
son of Nathan Hall of VVallingford, and Nathan was the son of 
John Hall of New Haven, and this John was the son of John Hall 
of Boston, New Haven, and Wallingford, who was an emigrant. 
having come to America before 1660. The emigrant's sons, John, 
Thomas, and Samuel, settled in Wallingford before their father. 

I JOHN. 

John Hail, of England, married Jane Woolen. He was freed 
from training in 1665, being then in his 60th year, and was most 
certainly in New Haven as early as 1639, and at Wallingford 
about the year 1670. He died early in the year 1676, ae. 71. 

Children: 2 John, bapt Aug. 9, 1646; 3 Sarah, bapt Aug. 9, 
1646, at New Haven; 4 Richard, b July 11. 1645 > 5 Samuel, b 
May 21, 1646, d March 5, 1725 ; 6 Thomas, b March 25, 1649; 
7 Jonathan, b April 5, 165 1 • 8 David, b March 8, 1652, d July 
17, 1727, ae. 75. 

2 JOHN". JR. 

John Hall, son of John and Jane Hall, married Mary, daugh- 
ter of Edward Parker, at New Haven, Dec. 6, 1666, and settled 
in Wallingford with the first planters in 1670. He died Sept. 2. 
1721, ae. 86. She died Sept. 22. 1725. 

Children: 9 Elizabeth, b Aug. 11, 1670, in New Haven; 10 
Daniel,b July 26. 1672,111 Thankful Lyman, March 15. 1693 ; 1 1 
Mary, b June 2^. 1675 ; 12 Nathaniel, b Feb. 8, 1677 ; 13 John 
b March 14. 16S1, m Elizabeth Royce ; 14 Lydia, b Jan. _• 1 . 
1683 ; 15 Samuel, b Dec. 24, 1686, d Nov. 1, 1689 ; 16 Esther, 
b Aug. 30, 1693 ; 17 Caleb, b Sept. 14, 1697. 



486 - HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

12 NATHANIEL. 

Nathaniel Hall, son of John and Mary (Parker) Hall, mar- 
ried Elizabeth Curtiss, May, 1699. She died Sept. 30, 1735, and 
he married, 2d, Lydia Johnson, Sept. 15. 1736. He died Aug. 
16, 1757. 

Children : 18 Amps, b Jan 24, 1700, m Ruth Royce ; [9 Mar- 
garetta, b Dec. 21, 1701. d Oct. 30, 1707; 20 Caleb, b Jan. 3. 
1703, d May 11, 1766, ae. 62; 21 Moses, b June 6, 1706, d Feb. 
x 5> 1 765, ae. 59; 22 Mary, b Oct. 30, 1707; 23 Nathaniel, b 
April 17, 17 1 1, d Dec. iS, 1727 ; 24 James, b April 23, 1 7 r 3 ; 25 
Elizabeth, b Sept. 22, 17 15 ; 26 Desire, b June 19, 17 19; 27 He- 
man, b Oct. 17, 1720. 

27 HEMAN.* 

Lieut. Heman Hall, son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Curtiss) 

Hall, married Elizabeth , and was among the early settlers in 

Wolcott. He died in 1769, and the date on his grave-stone is the 
earliest in the Center grave-yard in Wolcott. Elizabeth, his wife, 
married, 2d, Mr. Lee, who came to Wolcott with Mr. Hall and 
his family. She died about 1804. 

Children: 28 Curtiss, b 1746; 29 Heman, b 1750; 30 Phebe, 
m Dea. Joseph Atkins; 31 Elizabeth, m Daniel Byington, Jr. „ 

28 CURTISS. 

Curtiss Hall, son of Heman and Elizabeth (Curtiss) Hall, 
married Rachel Beecher, said to have been first cousin to Rev. 
Dr. Lyman Beecher. Mr. Hall was killed "by falling from a tree 
which was already down," in 1799, ae - 53- His widow married, 
John Bronson. 

Children : 32 Moses, bapt Nov; 2, 1788 ; ^t, Richmond, b March 
2 3> 1773 ; 34 Mary, bapt Nov. 2, 1788, m Reuben Lewis; 35 
Anne, bapt Nov. 2, 1788, m Luther Hotchkiss, Nov. 24, 1800 ; 36 
Leva, bapt Nov. 2, 1788, m David Frisbie ; 37 Amos, bapt Nov. 
2, 1788; 38 Sukey, d 1778; 39 Sukey, bapt Nov. 2, 1788, m 
Thomas Wiard, removed to Massachusetts ; 40 Rachel, bapt Nov. 
2, 1788, d Nov. 3, 1788; 41 Infant, d Aug. 23, 1785 ; 42 Infant, 



♦This name is written Harmon in the Wallingford History, but is Heman 
on Wallingford Town Records. 



GENEALOGH 487 

d 1786 ; 43 Infant, d July 27, 17S7 ; 44 Sylvia Curtiss, bapt May 
1, 1789; 45 Infant, A March 9, 1790; 46 Infant, & 1795: 47 
Child, d 1797. 

29 H F.MAX. 

Capt. Heman Hall, son of Heraan and Elizabeth Hall, mar- 
ried Rebecca Finch of Wolcott, and lived on the homestead, 
where he died, 1795, ae. 45. His wife, Rebecca, was born in 
1746. and died June 3, 1805. aged 59. (See Biog., p 338.) 

Children : 48 Sally ; 49 Rebecca, m Osee Bronson, and re- 
moved to Madison Co., N. Y.. where they both died. Their 
son. Miles Bronson, has been a missionary in India about thirty 
years. 50 Heman,\) 1775; 51 Levi, bapt Sept. iS. 1778; 52 
Sally, bapt April 30, 1780: 53 Ursula, bapt Aug. 18. 1782. m 
Noah Walker, and removed to Saybrook; 54 Sarah, b 1780. m 
Willsey, d July 10. t86o, ae. 80; - .'■.. m Daniel Byington. 

32 MOSES, 

Mom;-. Hall, son of Curtiss and Rachel (Beecher) Hall, mai 
ried Olive Porter, and removed to Waterbury. 

Children: 56 Nelson; 57 Hopkins; 58 Samuel; 59 Olive, m 
John P. Elton. 

7,7, RICHMOND. 

Richmond Hall, son of Curtiss and Rachel (Beecher) Hall, 
married Lucy Dudley, July 3, 1795. lived in Wolcott, and died 
Nov. 12, 1825. His wife, Lucy, was born Jan. 22. 1774, and 
died Nov. 1 4. 1842. 

Children : 60 Rachel Beecher, b Feb. 16, 1796, m Stephen Mer- 
riman of Southington, d Jan. 30. 1839; 61 John, b Jan. 24, 1798, 
d April 7. 1844 : 62 Abigail, b Oct. 25, 1 7 1>9. now living in Mer- 
iden ; 63 Curtiss, b Oct. 8, 1801, settled in Susquehanna Co., 
Penn., d 1870; 64 Richmond, b July 27. 1803, d in Meriden, 
Conn.. April 23, 1848 ; 65 Lucy, b Oct. 5, 1805. m Mansfield 

Merriman of Southington; 66 Emetine, b Aug. 7. 1807, m 

Richardson, removed to Slatersville, R. I. ; 67 Susan, b Now 24. 
1809, m Lewis Woodruff, and resides in Southington ; 68 Leva, 
b June 5, 181 2. m John Davidson, lives in South Meriden; 69 
Eleanor, b Nov. 22, [814, m Jared Matthews, and removed to 



4<S8 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

New York, d July 26, 1854; 7© Elizabeth, b Sept. 1, 18 18, m 
Steel, and resides in Windham, N. Y. 



50 HEMAN. 

Sergt. Heman Hall, son of Heman and Rebecca (Finch) 
Hall, married, Dec. 12, 1796, Lydia, daughter of David Hitch- 
cock of Southington. His commission as sergeant is dated at 
Farmington, 1797. He and his widowed mother changed the 
farm on the road towards Marion for the one owned by Flnathan 
Thrasher, in Woodtick, where he died. Feb. 4, 1848, ae. 73. 
Lydia, his wife, b Aug. 4, 1777, d Feb. 9, 1856, ae. 79. 

Children: 71 Orrin, b Oct. n, 1797 ; 72 Ephraim, b Sept. 5, 
1 799 ; 73 Polly, b Aug. 17, 1801, m Willard Plumb, Jan. 1, 1822 ; 
74 Lydia, b June 21, 1804, m William Frost, June 24, 1823, and 
lived at East Farms in Waterbury; 75 Rebecca F., b Aug., 1808, 
m William H. Payne, May 31, 1829, and settled in Waterbury; 
76 Roxanna, b April 1, 18 16, m Laurin L. Stevens, Sept. 30, 
Sept. 30, 1838, d Dec. 11, 1867, ae. 50. 

5 I LEVI. 

Capt. Levi Hall, son of Heman and Rebecca (Finch) Hall, 
married, 1st, Sarah Welton, who died Oct. 13, 1842, ae. 64 ; 2d, 
Miss Warner, of Plymouth. He was a leading man in the Epis- 
copal Church a number of years. He died June 27, 1857, ae. 80. 

Children: 77 Kneeland T., not married, d April 6, 1859; 78 
Hector H, b July 30, 1808 ; 79 Rufina, b Oct. 9, 1810, m Lucius 
C. Hotchkiss ; 80 Sarah Ann, b Oct. 26, 1813, m Simeon H. 
Norton. 

71 ORRIN. 

Dea. Orrin Hall, son of Heman and Lydia (Hitchcock) 
Hall, married Nancy Minor, and lives in Woodtick, on his father's 
homestead, and is in his 77th year. His wife, Nancy, died Feb. 
9, 1873. 

Children: 81 Heman IV., b June 11, 1824; 82 Harriet Julina, 
b Nov. 6, 1834. 

72 EPHRAIM. 

Ephraim Hall, son of Heman and Lydia (Hitchcock) Hall, 



GENEALOGIES. 489 

married Mary Minor, Sept. 9, 1824. His wife, Mary, was born 
Nov. 23, 1800, (1 July 19, 1870, ae. 69. He died June 7, 1874. 
(See Biog., p. 340.) 

Children: 83 Lydia Amu b 1825, d Sept. 5, 1826; 84 Charles 
)', b March 6, 1827 ; 85 Julia Ann, b. Nov. 18, 1829, m Wm. A. 
Munson of Wolcott. 

78 HECTOR H. 

Hector II. Hall, sou of Levi and (Warner) Hall, mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Dr. Branch of South Carolina, but former- 
ly of Vermont. He formed a partnership with Lucius Tuttle, Jr., 
in 1832, and went to South Carolina, where he engaged in the 
dry goods business, remaining until 1838. He then settled on a 
farm in Cumberland, Indiana, remaining there until 1870, when 
he sold his farm and invested his money in real estate in Indian 
apolis, and is one of the leading men in that city. 

80 HEMAN WTLLSEY. 

Heman \Y. Hall, sou of Orrin and Nancy (Minor) Hall, mar- 
ried Betsey Ann, daughter of Joseph N. Sperry, and lived on the 
old Curtiss Hall farm. 

Children : 86 Sarah Ursula, b April 17. 1847, m Charles M. 
Potter, Oct. 20, t866, and has a son Herbert L., b Dec. 3, 187 1 ; 
87 Ransom />'., b July 12, 1852; 88 Hattie f... b Jan. 10, 1863. 

84 CHARLES Y. 

Charles Y. Hall, son of Ephraim and Mary (Minor) Hall, 
married Janette A. Smith, June 6, 1848. He died March 10, 
1849, ae - 22 - 

Child: 89 Charles E. S., b May 17, 1849. 

87 RANSOM };. 

Ransom B. Mali, son of Heman W. and Betsey A. (Sperry) 
Hall, married Anna Root. Feb. 25, 1874. 

89 CHARLES :•:. s. 

CHARLES. E. S. HALL, son of Charles Y. and Janette A. (Smith) 
Hall, married Emma A., daughter of Dea. Miles S. Upson, Sept. 
25, 1869. 

Child: 90 Louis Charles* b Dee. 7. 1872. 
36 



HARRISON.* 

Thomas Harrison, from England, settled in New Haven, in 
that part now called East Haven. He took the oath of fidelity 
at New Haven, April 4, 1654. He had three brothers who came 
with him to this country, viz. : Richard, Benjamin, and Nathaniel. 
Richard was a few years at Branford, but removed to New Jersey. 
Nathaniel and Benjamin settled in Virginia. Benjamin, it is said, 
was grandfather of the late William Henry Harrison, President of 
the United States. Thomas married, 1st, the widow of John 
Thompson of New Haven, and, 2d, widow Elizabeth Stent, 
March 29, 1666. 

Children: 1 Thomas, b March 1, 1657; 2 Nathaniel, b Dec. 
13, 1658 : 3 Elizabeth, b Jan. 1667; 4 John ; 5 Samuel ; 6 Isaac; 
7 Mary. 

I THOMAS. 

Thomas Harrison, son of Thomas Harrison and his first wife, 
married Margaret Stent, daughter of his step-mother. 

Children: 8 Lydia, b 1690; 9 Jemima, b 1692; 10 Thomas, b 
Oct. 12, 1694, removed to Litchfield, Conn.; 11 Abigail, b Nov. 
17, 1696; 12 Benjamin, b Aug. 7, 1698, settled in Waterbury, 
now Wolcott, about 1738 ; 13 Joseph, b May 25, 1700 ; 14 David, 
b Feb. 7, 1702 ; 15 Aaron, b March 4, 1704, d 1708 ; 16 Jacob, 
b Oct. 23, 1708, d 1748. 

IO THOMAS. 

Thomas Harrison, son of Thomas and Margaret (Stent) 
Harrison, married Elizabeth Sutliff, April 21, 1721, and lived for 
a time in the eastern part of North Branford. He purchased 
1000 acres of land in Litchfield, Conn., in the eastern part of the 



See Bronson's History of Waterbury. 



GENEALOGIES. 49 1 

parish of South Farms, to which he removed in 1739. He gave 
100 acres of land to each of nine sons, reserving only 100 for him- 
self. He was chosen deacon of the First Church in Litchfield in 

'755- 
Children: 17 Thomas; 18 Ephraim; 19 Gideon ; 20 'Jitus ; 

21 Abel; 22 Jacob ; 23 Lemuel; 24 Elihu ; 25 Levi. 

\2 BENJAMIN. 

Benjamin Harrison, son of Thomas and Margaret (Stent) 
Harrison, married Mary Sutliff, Oct. 19. 1720, and settled in that 
part of Waterbury now Wolcott, about 1738. He died in 1760, 
leaving his wife, Mary, and three children. 

Children: 26 Abigail, m David Warner, son of "Dr. Ben," of 
Buck's Hill; 27 Benjamin, b 1722; 28 Aaron, b April 26, 1726. 

27 BENJAMIN. 

Benjamin Harrison, son of Benjamin and Mary (Sutliff) Har- 
rison, married Dinah, daughter of Dr. Benjamin Warner, of 
Buck's Hill, Dec, 24. 1741, and died March 13, 1760. in his 39th 
year. 

Children : 29 fames, b Oct., 1742, d 1760; 30 Jabez, b Oct., 

I 744 ; 31 Lydia, b Sept., 1747 ; 32 Samuel, b Sept., 1750, d 1750 ; 

II Rozel. 1) 175 1 ; 34 Daniel, b July, 1754, m Phebe Blakeslee, 
Feb. 7. 1774, the first marriage performed by Rev. Alexander 
Oillet, and the first recorded in Farmingbury parish. 

28 AARON. 

Dea. Aaron Harrison, son of Benjamin and Mary (Sutliff) 
Harrison, married Jerusha, daughter of Obadiah Warner, and 
grand-daughter of Dr. Ephraim Warner of Waterbury. She was 
born Oct. 13. 1727. He was deacon of the church in Wolcott 
45 years. He died Sept. 5, 18 19, ae. 93. She died Sept. 13, 
1819. five days after her husband, ae. 92. 

Children : 35 fared, b Oct. 13, 1749; 36 Mark, b Aug., 1 75 1 ; 
37 Samuel, b March 19, 1753; 3 8 Da-rid. b 1756 ; 39 John, b 
Dec. 3, 1758, went into the army of the revolution, and d Nov. 
10, 1776, ae. 18; 40 Aaron, b (probably) 1760. was in the war 
of the revolution, d near New Haven, 1808 ; 41 Lucy, b March 



492 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

i, 1762, m Nathan Gillet, brother of Rev. Alexander Gillet, April 
16, 1779; 42 Lydia, b 1766, m Dr. John Potter of Wolcott, 
Sept. 27, 1783, d Sept. 27, 1796. ae. 30. 

35 JARED. 

Jared Harrison, son of Aaron and Jerusha (Warner) Harri- 
son, married Hannah , and resided in Wolcott some years ; 

removed to Watertown, Conn., and was elected deacon of the 
church there in 1801 ; removed to Whitestown, N. Y., and died 
there, Jan. 21, 18 10, ae. 61. 

Children: 43 Daniel Webster, bapt March 25, 1777; 44 Ros- 
well, bapt. May 25, 1777 ; 45 Benjamin, bapt May 25, 1777 ; 46 
fo/ui, bapt Jan. n, 1778; 47 Ruth, bapt June 18, 1780. All 
baptized in Wolcott. 

36 MARK. 

Mark Harrison, Esq., son of Aaron and Jerusha (Warner) 
Harrison, married Rebecca Miles of Wolcott, March 30, 1775. 
He was a man of prominence and influence, and of a more pro- 
gressive mind than many of his fellow-townsmen ; and if the town 
records indicate the truth, Wolcott would have been much more 
of a town now than it is if it had followed his advice, for he seems 
to have been in favor of helping Seth Thomas in establishing his 
clock manufactory in Wolcott, and was a leader in several other 
improvements which the people were slow to adopt. His wife, 
Rebecca, died Aug. 20, 18 10, ae. 59. He married, 2d, widow 
Hannah Beach, Feb. 24, 1811. He died July 15, 1822, ae. 71. 

Children: 48 Michael, b Jan. 17, 1776 ; 49 Abigail, b Oct. 5, 
1777, m Reuben Beebe, and d Feb. 10, 1862, leaving a son, Miles 
Beebe, in West Haven. Reuben Beebe d Sept. 26, 18 10. 50 

Susannah, b Sept. 27, 1779, m Clinton, and removed to 

Ohio ; 51 Rollin, b March 14, 1782 ; 52 Rebecca, b Aug. 5, 1784, 

m Lucius Tuttle of Wolcott ; 53 Miles, b July 9, 1787, m 

Hotchkiss of Wolcott, d in Ohio, leaving several children ; 54 
Sarah, b May 1, 1790, d April 21, T791; 55 Stephen, b Sept. 20, 
1792. 

37 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Harrison, son of Aaron and Jerusha (Warner) Har- 
rison, married Phebe . 



GENE \i i >GiES; 493 

Children: 56 Olive, bapt Sept. 1, 1784/ 57 Deliverance, bapt 
Sept. 1. 1 784 ; 58 Lucy, bapt Sept. 1. 17S4 ; 59 Lydia, bapt Sept. 
1. [784; 60 Josiah, bapt Sept. 1.1784; 61 Palmyra, bapt March 
12, [786. 

38 DAVID. 

David Harrison, son of Aaron and Jerusha (Warner) Harri- 
son, married, 1st, Hepzibah Roberts of Wolcott, Dec. 10, 1778. 
She died Aug. 28, 1793. He married, 2d. Lydia, daughter of 
Wait Hotchkiss. and she died July 25, 1838. ae. 76. He died 
April 5, 1820, ae. 64. 

Children: 62 Laura, b Aug. 1. 1779; 63 Leonard, b Sept. 27, 
17S1 ; 64 Marcia,b Oct. 17, 1783; 65 Jared, b March 10, 1786; 
66 Aaron, b July 30, 1788; Alary, b Oct. 22, 1790; b^ Joseph, 
and 69 Benjamin, twins, b Aug. 27, 1793. By second wife: 70 
Lowly, b 1795, d Sept. 26. 1826, ae. 31; 71 Trad, b 1796, d Nov. 
30, 1826. ae. 30 ; 72 Lyman, d young. 

48 MICHAEL. 

Michael Harrison, son of Mark and Rebecca (Miles) Harri- 
son, married Cynthia Rosanna Welton, and lived in New Haven, 
and died there with the same fever with which Rev. Mr. Wood- 
ward died in Wolcott. Mr. Harrison died Aug. 22, 1810, two 
days after his mother died in Wolcott, he having watched with his 
father's family in Wolcott. His wife, Cynthia R., died in Water- 
bury, 1867 or 8. 

Children : 73, Sara/!, m Hiram Upson, lived in Waterbury ; 
74 Maria, m Meigs Allen, lived in Plymouth, Conn. ; 75 Rebecca, 
m James Somers of Milford. 

5 1 ROLLIN. 

Roi.i.in Harrison, son of Mark and Rebecca (Miles) Harri- 
son, married Esther Moulthrop, and died July 22, 18 10. with the 
great fever that prevailed at that time. 

Child: 76 Esther, m John S. Atkins of Wolcott, and lives in 
New Haven. 

55 STEPHEN. 

Stephen Harrison, son of Mark and Rebecca (Miles) Harri- 
son, married Lois . He was celebrated for having the most 



494 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

remarkable tenor voice in singing that was ever heard in Wolcott. 
That voice he used cheerfully and constantly for many years in 
aid of public worship in both churches. His wife, Lois, died 
Sept. 14, 1859, ae - 66. He died July 11, 1866, ae. 73. 

Children: 77 Henry, b March 9, 18 10; 78 Michael, and 79 
A'ol/in, twins, b Oct. 3, 181 1, Michael d Dec. 21, 181 1 ; 80 Char- 
loth', b Oct. 17, 1813, m Ferdinand Cadwell, May 12, 1831, had 
children, Ferdinand G., b Aug. 5, 1832, Solomon F, b May 12, 
1834, George D., b May 16, 1837, Mortimer H., b Oct. 1, 1839, 
was a soldier in the late war, and died in hospital at Washington, 
Birdsey A., b Feb. 10, 1843, Charles G., b June 1, 1845, John 
W. and James W., twins, b Jan. 9, 1847, Laura Jane, b April 1, 
1853; 81 Michael, b July 29, 1815- 82 Isaac, b June 4, 18 17 ; 
83 Orrin, b March 1, 18 19; 84 Mark, b April 10, 182 1, d March 
24, 1 841 ; 85 William Franklin, b Feb. 8, 1823 • 86 Alma Jane, b 
May 7, 1825, m James M. Cadwell, May 22, 1846; 87 Caroline 
Miles, b May 16, 1827, m Milo M. Gilbert, June 1, 1835, an d 
had children, Adaline, b April 8, 1846, Ella Jane, b Sept. 6, 1853, 
Charles H., b Sept. 28, 1858, Milo M., d April 10, 1873; 88 Jen- 
>iet, b Jan. 20, 1829, d Sept. 20, 1831 ■ 89 Emily, b Nov. n, 1830, 
d Oct. 2, 183 1 ; 90 Emily Jentiet, b July 4, 1832, m Emerson R. 
Thomas, Jan. 3, 1853, and had children, Elsie ]., b Feb. 5, 1856, 
Carrie J., b July 16, 1859, Emerson B., d June 20, 1863, in his 
country's service, at New Orleans; 91 Frederick, b July 2, 1834, 
d July 8, 1864, in his country's service; 92 Eliza Ann, b May 27, 
1836, m Luther W. Plumb of Wolcott. 

77 HENRY. 

Henry Harrison, son of Stephen and Lois Harrison, married 
Wealthy H., daughter of Gates Upson, Nov. 29, 1832. She was 
born Nov. 25, 181 2, and died July 7, 1848. He married, 2d, 
Mary H. Goodrich, July 2, 1859. He lives half a mile east of 
Wolcott Center. 

Children : 93 Henry Upson, b April 27, 1839, d April 28, 1842 ; 
94 Mark Hbtchkiss, b June 30, 1843 \ 95 Mary Wealthy, b Nov. 
29, 1846, m Sidney B. Ruggles of Southington, and d Feb. 18, 

1873- 

79 ROLLIN. 

Rollin Harrison, son of Stephen and Lois Harrison, married 



GENEALOGIES. 495 

H. F. Mesherel of Southington, April 12. 1833. He died in New 
Britain, March 24, 1866, ae. 55, 

Children: 96 Martha E., b Feb. 1834; 97 William II.. b Feb. 
19, 1836, d Oct 26, 1862, in the United States service, in South 
Carolina ; 98 Charles F., b Jan. 26, 1843, d Sept. ri, 1847. 

81 MICHAEl . 

Michael Harrison, son of Stephen and JLois Harrison, mar- 
ried Eliza J. Hayes, Sept. 26. 1837. 

Children: 99 Harriet, b April 28, 1838, m Charles Noble ; roo 
Charles, b June 15, 1840; ior Franklin, b April 11, 1850. 

82 ISAAC. 

Isaac Harrison, son of Stephen and l.ois Harrison, married 
Elizabeth Small. Oct. 15, 1836. 

Children : 102 William /?., b Sept. 21, 1837, and was killed at 
the battle of Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862 ; 103 James H, b Sept. 6, 
1839, d Dec. 30. 1843 ! ro 4 Stephen E.. b Aug. 19. 1840, m Etta 
Shepherd, July 9, 1870; 105 Susan E., b June 3, 1844, m Theo- 
dore Olive. Aug. 7, 1862; 106 James H, b Sept. 20, 1845, m 
Deborah Walker, June 28, 1 87 1 ; 107 Edward, b July 20, 1847, 
d Aug. 27. 1 847 ; 108 Washington R., b Sept. 16, 1848; 109 
Matilda, b Feb. 10, 1852, d Feb. n, 1852 ; no Car, dine 11. i> 
June 30, 1853; 111 Martha O., b April 12, 1858. 

83 ORRIN. 

Orrin Harrison, son of Stephen and Lois Harrison, married 
Emily Harrison, Jan. 28, 1840. 

Children: 112 Theodore F, b March 14, 1842 ; 113 Mary ./.. 
b Jan.. 22, 1846, m John A. Parker, June 30, 1867. has children, 
Charles Motley, b Aug. 14, 1868, Lena Violetta, b July 7, 1870 ; 
1 1 4 Henry Frank/in. b Nov. 12, 1849. m Nancy Reed, May 17. 
1868; 115 Adalena.h July 14, 1852,111 William A. Benedict, 
Nov. 30, 187 1 : 116 Caroline, b June 9, 1857, d March r, 1864; 
117 Jessie E., b March 14. 1863. 

85 WILLIAM FRANKLIN. 

William F. Harrison, son of Stephen and Lois Harrison, 
married Harriet A. Bradley, Jan. 20, 1844. 



49^ HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Children : 118 James F, b March 16, 1846 ; 119 John T., b 
Feb. 8, 1848 ; 120 Edwin M., b May 25, 185 1 ; 121 Wilbur E, 
b May 22, 1854. 

94 MARK HOTCHKISS. 

Mark H. Harrison, son of Henry and Wealthy H. (Upson) 
Harrison, married Mary Palmer, who was born April 9, 1843. 
Children: 122 George 11'.. b May 26, 1864; 123 Josephine 

Wilbur, b Aug. 18, 1866. 

TOO CHARLES. ' 

Charles Harrison, son of Michael and Eliza J. (Hayes) Har- 
rison, married 

Children : 124 Abel, b April, 1869 ; 125 Eva, b Dec. 31, 1872. 

112 THEODORE F. 

Theodore F. Harrison, son of Orrin and Emily (Harrison) 
Harrison, married Charlotte Corbin, Nov. 12, 1864. 

Children: 126 Frederick, b March 14, 1866; 127 Frank Ar- 
thur, b Feb. 29, 1868; 128 Eugene Corbin, b 1870. 

I 1 8 JOHN T. 

John T. Harrison, son of William F. and Harriet A. (Brad- 
ley) Harrison, married Harriet E. Hough of Wolcott, Oct. 3, 
1869. 

Children: 129 Walter Stiles, b Feb. 1, 187 1; 130 Frederick 
James, b Feb. 26, 1874. 



HIGGINS. 

I TIMOTHY, SKNK. 

Timothy Higgins was born in Milford where his father then 
resided. He married Hannah Allen and lived in Milford until 
about 1803 when he removed to Middleburv, Conn. In Milford 
he was engaged as a shipping merchant. He remained in Mid- 
dlebury until [819 when he removed to Wolcott, whither his son 
Fitch and his son-in law, Jonathan Bement, had preceded him. 

Children : 2 Allen, died young ; 3 Harriet, m Beers Bradford, 
lived in Middlebury; 4 Lyman ; 5 Laura, m Klias Tibbies of 
Milford ; 6 Hannah, m Jonathan Bement, resided in Wolcott and 
had children. Eliza, Laura. Ann. Lucy, Louisa; 7 Fitch; 8 Lucy, 
m Adolphus Baldwin of Milford; 9 Luther and another child, 
twins; 10 Timothy, b Dec 8, 1800. 

4 LYMAN. 

LYMAN HlGGINS, son of Timothy and Hannah (Allen) Higgins. 
married Betsey, daughter of Samuel Upson of Wolcott, Jan. 
25, 1808, lived near the mill in Woodtick. She died Nov. 15. 
1853. He died July 31, 1866, ae. 83. 

Children: 11 Emily, b July 26, 1809, m Lucius Frisbie Jan. 
31. 1828, d May 12, 1830; 12 Upson, b Jan. 27, 1815 ; 13 Sally, 
1) Sept. 28, 1818, m Harvey Plumb of Wolcott, May 3, 1840. 

7 FITCH. 

Fitch Higgins, son of Timothy and Hannah (Allen) Higgins, 
married Amanda Royce and lived on the Parker farm, now owned 
by Augustus Rose. He took an active part in sustaining the So- 
ciety and church, and was a citizen of honor and good report. 
He removed to Wisconsin as a pioneer and was engaged, to a con- 
37 



49§ HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

siderable extent in buying and selling real estate. His first wife 
died about 1840. He married again. 

Children : 14 Emeline, m RollinTuttle, of Wolcott, and removed 
to Wisconsin, and had children, Mary Ann, Eliza, Amanda; 15 
William, m in Wisconsin and has a family of several children. 
Children by second wife : 16 Charles; 17 Frederick. 

9 LUTHER. 

Luther Higgins, son of Timothy and Hannah (Allen) Higgins, 
married widow Lambert of Waterbury, lived a time in Wolcott, 
and removed to Cheshire. 

Children: 18 Henry; 19 Mary; 20 Stephen, who died in the 
late war. 

IO TIMOTHY, JR. 

Timothy Higgins, son of Timothy and Hannah (Allen) Hig- 
gins. married Janette Carter of Southington, Nov. 4, 1824, and 
settled in Southington as a tanner in which business he was suc- 
cessful. He has been deacon, and an active man in the Congre- 
gational church in Southington for a number of years. 

Children : 21 Laura A., b Aug. 31, 1828, m, April 2, 1852, 
Joseph B. Beadle and resides in New Jersey, and has children, 
Emma, Charles, John; 2 2 Janette C, b Jan. 31, 1830, m H. D. 
Smith of Plantsville, April 24, 1850, and had children, William, 
Charles D., Janette; 23 Lucius LL., b July 4, 1832 ; 24 Mary, b 
April 8, 1834, m E. P. Hotchkiss, Dec. 5, 1855; 25 Harriet, b 
March 21, 1836; 26 Lnfaut, b April 8, 1838, d April 16, 1838; 
27 Edwin, b June 19, 1841, d Sept. 30, 1861 ; 28 Augusta, b 
May 31, 1843, d Oct. 16, 1852 ; 29 Julia, b Dec. 15, 1845, ^ F eD - 
19? l8 47; $0 Julia //:, b Jan. 31, 1843, d July 25, 1852. 

12 UPSON. 

Upson Higgins, son of Lyman and Betsey (Upson) Higgins, 
married, 1st, Hannah M. Norton, June 7, 1840. She died Jan. 
16, 1842. He married, 2d, Mary Upson, Sept. 18, 1842, and 
she died Jan. 25, 1862. He resides on the homestead of his 
father. 

Children : 31 Amelia M. and 32 Hannah A., twins, b Jan. 15, 
1842, Amelia M. d Aug. 15, 1843. By second wife: ^ Amelia 



GENEALOGIES. 499 

/, 1) Feb. 22, 1844, in Sidney B. Ruggles of Plantsville, Feb. 25, 
1874; 34 Ann ('.. b Oct. 29, 1848, <1 Jan. 4. 1864; 35 Frederick 
C/., b Aug. 7, 1853. 



HITCHCOCK. 

Shelton T. Hitchcock was born in Waterbury, Conn., Dec. 
13, 1822, and married Cornelia C. Andrews of Wolcott, Oct. 6, 
1855. She was born Aug. 22, 1833. Mr. Hitchcock resides on 
the old turnpike road, near Judd's Hill, in Wolcott. He has been 
representative and selectman a number of terms each. 

Children : 1 Jennie J., b March 26, 1857 ; 1 Nettie C, b Aug. 
22, i86o; 3 Eva .J/, b Sept. 1. 1862, d Sept. 8 : [862 ; 4 Elbert 
S.. 1. Nov. 7, 1867. 



HOPKINS. 

John Hopkins, of Hartford, Conn., left a widow, Jane, and 
two children : i Step//,// ; 2 Bethia, m Samuel Stocking of Mid- 
dletown. 

I STEPHEN. 

Stephen Hopkins, son of John and Jane Hopkins, married 
Dorcas, daughter of John Bronson, 1st, of Farmington, and lived 
at Hartford, 

Children: 3 John ; 4 Stephen; 5 Ebeneezr ; 6 Joseph ; 7 Dor- 
cas; 8 Mary. 

5 EBENEZER. 

Ebenezer Hopkins, son of Stephen and Dorcas (Bronson) 
Hopkins, resided at Hartford. 

Children: 9 Ebenezer, bapt Nov. 19, 1693, d young; 10 Jona- 
than, bapt June 28, 1696; 11 Ebenezer, b June 25, 1700; 12 
Mary, b Jan. 30, 1705; 13 Stephen, b Aug. 8, 1707, settled in 
Waterbury; 14 Isaac, b Nov. 28, 1708, and settled in that part of 
Waterbury now Wolcott; 15 Sarah, b June 25, 17 10.* 

14 ISAAC. 

Capt. Isaac Hopkins, son of Ebenezer of Hartford, came to 
Waterbury (Wolcott), and married Mercy, daughter of Thomas 
Hickox. Sept. 21, 1732. She died May 27, 1790. Mr. Hopkins 
died Jan. 13, 1805, ae. 96. His house stood on the road from 
Wolcott to Waterbury, at the corner of the roads, a little north of 
Mr. W. A. Munson's present dwelling. He was one of the most 
valuable men of the Society and church of Farmingbury. 

Children: 16 Obedience, b Sept. 1, 1733, d 1736; 17 Simeon, 



See Bronson's History of Waterbury. 



GENEALOGIES. 50 1 

b April 30, 1735, d 1736; 18 Bede, b Nov. 21, 1737, m Samuel 
Judd ; 19 Simeon, b Nov. 19, 1740 ; 20 Irene, b 1742 or 3; 21 
Rut/i. 1) Dec. 26, 1 745, d 1752; 22 Ore^ b June 18, 1748,11 1749; 
23 Mittee, 1> Dec. i.|, 1750, d Nov., 1806; 24 Mary, l> Dec. |, 
1753 ; 25 Wealthy, b June 2, 1756; 26 A'/////, 1) Dec. 10, 1759, 
m 1 st, Ziba Norton, 2d, Thomas Welton. 

19 SIMEON. 

Capt. Simeon Hopkins, son of Isaac and Mary (Hickox) 7 1 < > j < 
kins, married Lois, daughter of Obadiah Richards, Nov. 15, 1764, 
and died May 4. 1793. He was an influential man in the society 

and church, and was actively engaged in their support while he 
lived. Besides being a tanner he pursued the business of making 
leather. 

Children : 27 Hannah, b Aug. 5, 1765, m Joseph M. Parker, 
Feb. 28, 1787, and resided in Wolcott; 28 Sarah, b June 2, 1767. 
m Elihu Carter; 29 Electa, b July 8, 1770, m Joseph Twitchell, 
April 16, 1793; 30 Isaac, b Jan. 11, 1773; 31 Lois, b July 21, 
1775, m Samuel Upson, son of Capt. Samuel Upson ; 32 Rich- 
ards Obadiah, b Jan. 1 1, 1778, never married, d in Massachusetts; 
^^ Polly, b Sept. 19, 1779, m Salmon Tuttle of Sheffield, Mass. ; 
34 Harvey, b June 9, 1782. 



HOTCHKISS. 

HODGKIS, HOTCHKISS.* 

Samuel Hodgkis came from Essex, England, and was in New 
Haven as early as 1641. He married Elizabeth Cleverly, Sept. 
7, 1642, and died at New Haven, Dec. 28, 1663. The name is 
spelled at first Hodgkis, but the third generation spelled it, nearly 
uniformly, Hotchkiss. 

Children : 1 John, b 1643 ; 2 Samuel, b 1645 ; 3 James, b 1647 ; 
4 Joshua, b Sept. 16, 165 1 ; 5 Thomas, b Nov. 31, 1654 ; 6 Da- 
vid, b March 9, 1657. 

I JOHN. 

John Hodgkis, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cleverly) Hodg- 
kiss, married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Peck of New Haven, 
Dec. 5, 1672. His will was proved in New Haven, Sept. 23, 
1689. 

Children : 7 John, b Oct. r 1, 1673 ; 8 Joshua, b 1675 ; 9 Joseph, 
b June 3, 1678, went to Guilford; 10 Josiah, b July 24, 1680; it 
Caleb, b Oct. 18, 1684; 12 Elizabeth, b July 18, 1686. 

9 JOSEPH. 

Joseph Hodgkis, son of John and Elizabeth (Peck) Hodg- 
kis, went to Guilford, married Hannah, daughter of Isaac Crut- 
tenden of Guilford, April, 1699, and was a weaver in Guilford. 
His tax in 17 16 was for ^50 ns, and for weaving £2 os 3d. 
He died July 31, 1740. His wife, Hannah, died March 27, 1756. 

Children: 13 Joseph, b Sept. 3, 1700; 14 Isaac, b Dec. 25, 

* For collateral branches see Branson's History of Waterbury ; C. H. S. 
Davis' History of Wallingford ; Dodd's History of East Haven. 



GENEALOGIES. 503 

1702; 15 Wait, b Jan. 18, 1704; 16 Hannah, b Sept. 13, 1707; 
17 Deborah, b Jan. 18, 1710, d young ; [8 Miles, b July 28, 171 2. 
died young; 19 Mark, b July 1. t 7 1 4. 

15 WAIT. 

\V\11 Hotchkiss, third son of Joseph and Hannah (Crutten- 
den) Hodgkis, married Sarah Bishop, Nov. 2, 1 7 3 1 . She <lied in 
Guilford, April 24, 1761. He removed to Wolcottin 1777, where 
he died July :;o. 1 778. 

Children: 20 Wait, b Nov. 18, 1733 ; 21 Lois, b Oct. 5, [735, 
ii May 9, 1818; 22 Sarah, 1> June 5, 17.38. d Feb. 5, 1746; 23 
Selah, b I >ec. 24, 1 742. 

20 WAIT. 

Wait Hotchkiss, son of Wait and Sarah (Bishop) Hotchkiss, 
married Lydia Webster o\ Bolton. Conn., Oct. 16, 1759, and set 
tied in Wblcotl in 1764 or 5. His wife, Lydia, died April 12, 
1776. He married. 2d. widow Deborah Twitchell, Oct. 10, 1776. 
He died 1799. ae. 66. His widow. Deborah, died June 1 8, 1831, 
ae. 89. 

Children : 24 Joel, b in Guilford, Aug. 8, 1760; 24 Lydia, b in 
Guilford. Aug. 28. 1762; 25 Sarah,b in Wolcott, March 27, 1765, 
never married ; 26 and 27 Abner, and a twin sister that lived but 
a short time, b May 24. 177 1. Children by second wife: 28 Lu 
ther, b \)vr. (). 1 7 7 S ; 29 Miles, b July 23d, 1783; 30 Lsaac, b 
Oct. [6, 1787. 

23 SKI. AH. 

Ski. \n Hotchkiss, son of Wait and Sarah (Bishop) Hotchkiss, 
married Rebecca — , and may have lived in Wolcott a short 
time. 

Children : 3] Lucy, b Oct. 3, 1771 ; 32 /esse, b fan. 17, 1777, 
who resided in Wolcott a short time and went "west." 

24 JOEL. 

JOEL HOTCHKISS, son of Wail and Lydia (Webster) Hotchkiss. 
married Mary, daughter of Lea. Josiah Rogers of Wolcott. Feb. 
6, 1785, and died in 1798, ae. ,38. 

Child : 33 Asenath, m Ira Hough. 



504 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

26 ABNER. 

Abner Hotchkiss, son of Wait and Lydia (Webster) Hotch- 
kiss, married Mary Fr-isbie, Nov. 19, 1805. She was born 1780, 
and died Feb. 3, 1852, ae. 71. He lived where his son Mahlon 
now does, and died March 21, 1846, ae. 75. 

Children: 34 Joel h March 25, 1807, d Aug. 27, 1852, ae. 37 ; 
35 Sarah, b April 8, 1809; 36 Joet I Arba, b Oct. 26, 1814, d Aug. 
27, 1852 ; 37 Mahlon, b Aug. 3, 1819. 

28 LUTHER. 

Major Luther Hotchkiss, son of Wait and Deborah (Twitch- 
ell) Hotchkiss, married Anne, daughter of Curtiss Hall, Nov. 24, 
1800. He lived half a mile south of Wolcott Center, and his 
farm included most of a piece of land called " Hog-Fields," and 
contained some of the most tillable land in the town. He was a 
good and highly respected citizen, and a faithful supporter of the 
church. He died April 14, 1863, ae. 84. His wife, Anna, died 
March 3, 1864, ae. 83. 

Children : 38 Olive Ann, b Nov. 22, 180 1, m Walter Webb, 
and removed to Meriden, where she died Nov., 1855. Her hus- 
band now (1873) resides in La Crosse, Wis. They had four 
children, Luther F., Walter W., John R, Mary A. ; 39 Sarah 
Elizabeth, b Sept. 24, 1805, m Ira Frisbie ; 40 Lucas Curtiss, b 
Oct. 14, 1807; 41 T/w/iias Goldson, b Feb. 6, 181 1; 42 Stiles 
Luther, b March 25. 181 7. 

40 LUCAS CURTISS. 

Lucas C. Hotchkiss, son of Luther and Anne (Hall) Hotch- 
kiss, married, 1st, Rufina, daughter of Capt. Levi Hall, Oct. 13, 
1831. She died Sept. 19, 1850. He married. 2d, Mary Ann 
Raymond of New Haven, Lee. 2, 185 1. 

Children by first wife : 43 Sarah A., b Sept. 29, 1832, m Ldw. 
P. Yale, and has children, Flora R, b Aug. 22, 1855, Anna M., 
b May 29, 1858, Charles F., b Jan. 15, 187 1; 44 Olive IV., b 
Jan. 24, 1836, m Lucius W. Curtiss of Bristol, Dec. 15, 1857, and 
has children, Nettie B., b Aug. 26, i860, Bertha Olive, b April 
13, 1863, d Sept. n, 1863; 45 Levi H., b April 25, 1844. By 
second wife : 46 Arthur R., b March 18, 1854. 



GENEALOGIES. 505 

41 THOMAS GOLDSON. 

Thomas G. Hotchkiss, son of Luther and Anne (Hall) Hotch- 
kiss, married Sarah L. Pratt of Meriden, in 1837. He died in 
Meriden, Dec. 22, 1866. 

Children: 47 Philo P.,b 1838; 48 Luther, b 1840, lives in 

Detroit, Mich ; 49 Addie, b May, 1844, m Curry of New 

York. 

42 STILES LUTHER. 

Stiles L. Hotchkiss, son of Luther and Anne (Hall) Hotch- 
kiss, married, 1st, Mary Ann Holt, Oct. 12, 1836. She died Sept. 
9, 1863, ae. 46. He married, 2d, Annis E. Bassett of Plymouth, 
Conn., March 31, 1864. 

Children by first wife : 50 Martha Anna, b July 1, 1827, d Sept. 
9, 1S42 : 51 Mary Rufina, b March 29, 1840, m Henry Carter, 
Feb. 1, i860, has son, Charles H., b Oct. 31, 1862; 52 Elmar, 
1) March 1 7. 1846. 

45 LEVI H. 

Levi H. Hotchkiss, son of Lucas C. and Rufina (Hall) Hotch- 
kiss, married Mary B. Marshall of Hartford, Conn., Oct. 18, 1870. 
Child: 53 Marshall, b Oct. 18, 187 1. 

47 PHILO P. 

Philo P. Hotchkiss, son of Thomas G. and Sarah L. (Pratt) 
Hotchkiss, married Miss Imley of Hartford, and has two children 
residing in Brooklyn, N. Y. 

52 ELMAR. 

Elmar Hotchkiss, son of Stiles L. and Mary A. (Holt) Hotch- 
kiss, married Hannah Jane, daughter of Deacon Geo. W. Carter, 
May 2, 1866. 

38 



HOUGH.* 

JOEL. 

Joel Hough, son of Joseph and Catharine Hough of Walling- 
ford, settled in Hamden, Mount Carmel Society, where he died. 
He was a shoemaker and farmer. 

Children: i Ira, b March 7, 1784, settled in Wolcott, Conn.; 

2 Joseph, settled in Cheshire. Conn., m Moss, daughter of 

Bowers Moss of that place ; 3 went to western New York ; 

4 Amos, m Nancy daughter of Nehemiah Rice of Wallingford, d 
at Hamden in 1869; 5 Joel, went to state of New York. 



Ira Hough, son of Joel and Catharine Hough, came to Wol- 
cott about 1805. He married Asenath, daughter of Joel Hotch- 
kiss, Nov. 15, 1808. She died Aug. 31, 18 10. He married, 2d, 
Mary Hubbard of Meriden, Conn., Jan. 1, 1812. He was a shoe- 
maker and tanner and resided by the little brook west of Wolcott 
Center. He was an active man in the Society and town for some 
years. He died June 13. 185 1, and Mary, his wife, died March 
6, 1869. 

Children by second wife: 6 Isaac, b Nov. 23, 181 2; 7 Ezra 
Stiles, b Aug. 9, 18 14 ; 8 Ira Hotchkiss, b May 4, 18 18 ; 9 Mary 
Asenath, b Oct. 2, 1822, m Miles S. Upson, April 20, 1845; TO 
Sally, b Jan. 17, 1830, d April 9, 1849. 

6 ISAAC. 

Isaac Hough, son of Ira and Mary (Hubbard) Hough, married 
Laura Ann Johnson of Wolcott, April 6, 1835, and resides on road 
towards Waterbury on the Gehula Grilley farm. 

* See History of Wallingford. 



GENEALOGIES. 507 

Children : 1 r Mary Aurelia, b June 9, 1839, m William Upson, 
Feb. 23, 1874; 12 Anne Amelia, b May 8, 1843. m J- H. Beecher, 
April 6. 1863, and had daughter, Carolina Amelia, b July 21, 1865, 
d March 3, 1873. She obtained a divorce and the custody of her 
daughter some time before the daughter died ; 13 Hobart Isaac, 
b Oct. 1, 1850, d Oct. 1, 1861. 

7 EZRA STILES. 

Ezra S. Huron, son of Ira and Mary (Hubbard) Hough, mar- 
ried Lucy Minor of Wolcott, April, 1836. He died Jan. 1, 1843, 
and his wife, Lucy, died Feb. 9, 1855. He was clerk of the First 
Society in Wolcott the last three years of his life, and was an ac- 
tive and highly respected young man. 

Children: 14 Cornelia, b Sept. 21, 1836, d June 1, 1856; 15 
Caroline, b May 14, 1838, m George T. Parker, Feb., 1865, d 
July 17, 1865. 

8 IRA HOTCHKIS>. 

Ira H. Hough, son of Ira and Mary (Hubbard) Hough, mar- 
ried, 1st, Mary P. Smith of Wolcott; April 9, 1841. She died 
Oct. 2, 1867, and he married, 2d, widow Martha A. Bronson, 
daughter of Mark Tuttle, June 1, 1868. 

Children by first wife: 16 Ezra Stiles, b June 12, 1842, d Feb. 
28, 1862; 17 Harriet Eliza, b June 26, 1845, m John T. Harri- 
son. Oct. 3, 1869; 18 Emily Smith, b Aug. 29, 1849, d April 19, 
1861. By second wife: 19 Alary Rebecca, b May 13, 1870. 



JOHNSON. 

AMOS M. 

Amos M. Johnson was born Oct. i, 1816, and was the son of 
William and Anne (Mitchell) Johnson, who were descended from 
the first settlers of ancient Woodbury. He married Sarah, young- 
est daughter of Hon. Orrin Plumb of Wolcott, May, 1854, and 
lives in the north part of Wolcott. 

Children: 1 Sarah Jane, b Nov. 12, 1855; 2 Hannah Maria, 
b Sept. 5, 1858. 

WILLIAM. 

William Johnson, of Bristol, married Leva^ daughter of Levi 
Atkins, Senr., and lived in the north part of Wolcott. 

Children: 1 Henry Atkins, b 1835 '■> 2 Theron Smith, b 1841. 

1 henry a. 

Henry A. Johnson, son of William and Leva (Atkins) John- 
son, married Alphia Sanford, and lives in Plymouth. 

Children : 3 Hattie ; 4 Willie ; 5 Carrie ; 6 Nettie ; 7 Fred- 
die. 

2 theron. 

Theron Johnson, son of William and Leva (Atkins) Johnson, 
married Sarah J. Alcott. 
Child : 8 Josephine Lillian. 

EDWARD. 

Edward Johnson was born in New Hartford, N. Y., and mar- 
ried widow Laura Scovill, Sept. 21, 1850, in Vienna, N. Y., and 
came into Wolcott in 1856. 

Children: 1 Ellen Amelia, b Nov. 17, 1853, m Willie E. Som- 
ers, Jan. 15, 1874; 2 Infant, died. 

508 



KENEA. 

JOHN JORDAN. 

John J. Kenea was born in that part of Stratford now called 
Huntington, March 21, 1763. Little is known of his father, ex- 
cept that In- was a. Scotchman and a sea captain. His mother's 
name was Jordan. At the age of 15 he enlisted and served in 
the revolutionary war. At its close he came to Wolcott, and 
learned the cooper's trade of James Alcox, and married his eldest 
daughter, Obedience, Ma) 5, 1785. He died Jan., 1840, ae. 77. 
His widow, Obedience, died in 1855, ae. 88. 

Children: 1 Hu/dah, b Feb. 5, 1788, m Isaac Hunt. Sept., 
181 1, and d Nov. 2, 1813, leaving a daughter Huldah • 2 Lever- 
ette. b Jan. 10 1791 ; 3 Sophia, b Dec. 15, 1798, m Dec. 18, 1836, 
Horace Stevens, of Plymouth, and married, 2d, Daniel Baldwin 
of the same place ; 4 Hitah, b May 26, 1802, m Jan. 8, 1822, Wells 
Plumb of Wolcott, and had children, Salome, Orlando, Henry; 5 
Bede, b June 4, 1805, m Abial Canfield of Oxford, in 183 1, and 
had children, John, Leverette, Henry, Walter, Alice ; 6 John 
Henry, b May 14, 1809. 

2 LEVERETTE. 

Leverette Kenea, son of John J. and Obedience (Alcott) 
Kenea, married Laura L. Fuller of Barkhamstead, Sept. 28, 1826. 
He died March 10, 1846. 

Children: 7 James L., b July 10, 1827 ; 8 Lanriette, b April 6, 
1829, m Henry Sage of Berlin, April, 1852, and has children, 
Florence and George H. ; 9 Leverette D.,h Aug. 21, 183 1, m 
Harriet M. Welton of Waterbury, April, 1864, and has children, 
Hattie W. and Edith Lee; 10 Harriet E., b April n, 1834, m 
James E. Smith of Plymouth, March 13, 1854. She died Jan. 
23, 1866; 11 Henry W., b July 14, 1836, d Oct. 23, 1849. 

509 



5IO HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

6 JOHN HENRY. 

John H. Kenea, son of John J. and Obedience (Alcott) Ke- 
nea, married, Oct. 22, 1837, Mehitabel H. Phelps of New York. 
He died in Madison, Wis., June 3, 1863. 

Children : 12 Emily Barton, b July 31, 1838, m Lucius C. 
Cary of Madison, Wis., March 21, 1857, and has sons Harry and 
Freddie. 



LANE. 



I DANIEL. 



Daniel Lane marrie 1 in Killmgly, his native place, Mary Gris- 
wold, and removed to Wolcott His wife, Mary, died in Wolcott, 
Aug. 29, 1789, and he married, 2d, Sarah Seward, April 6, 1791. 
He died in 1794. 

Children : 2 Mabel, m David Beckwith, Dec. 18, 1786, and re- 
moved to Camden, N. Y. ; 3 Nathaniel, and 4 Isabel, twins ; Isa- 
bel m Isaac Alcox, and removed to Plymouth ; 5 Asahel ; 6 
Mary, in Mark Alcox; 7 Daniel. 

3 NATHANIEL. 

Nathaniel Lane, son of Daniel and Mary (Griswold) Lane, 
married Millicent Alcox, and lived a little north of the James 
Alcox place. 

Child: 8 Anson Griswold, b 1796. 

5 ASAHEL. 

Asahel Lane, son of Daniel and Mary (Griswold) Lane, mar- 
ried Abigail, daughter of David Alcox, and removed to Camden, 
New York, having children. 

7 DANIEL, JR. 

Daniel Lane, son of Daniel and Mary (Griswold) Lane, mar- 
ried Keziah Norton, of Wolcott, and lived in Plymouth, Conn. 

Children : 9 Linus, m Jewell, and removed to Cornwall, 

Conn. ; 10 Lucas, m -Jewell, lives in Plymouth, and has child- 
ren ; 11 Lucia, m Krastus Todd, removed to Southington; 12 
Elizabeth, m Joel Barnes, and removed to Plymouth ; 13 Leonard; 
14 Asahel. 



512 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

8 ANSON GRISWOLD. 

Anson G. Lane, son of Nathaniel and Millicent (Alcox) Lane, 
married Lydia Ann, daughter of Richard F. Welton, and lived on 
his father's homestead. 

Children: 15 Richard Anson, b Aug. 19, 1829; 16 Albert N., 
b July 22, 1831 ; 17 Edward Ephraim, b July 29, 1836, went to 
Warsaw, 111., and m Carrie Rosevelt. 

13 LEONARD. 

Leonard Lane, son of Daniel and Keziah (Norton) Lane, 
married Lucy Jewell, and lived in Plymouth. He was found dead 
on the Waterbury and Southington turnpike, on Southington 
mountain, in Wolcott, — supposed to have been murdered. 

15 RICHARD ANSON. 

Richard A. Lane, son of Anson G. and Lydia Ann (Welton) 
Lane, married Elizabeth Hawkins, and removed to Kankakee, 
Illinois. 

Children: 18 Willie, d young; 19 Edward; 20 Charles Al- 
bert; 21 Ida. 

I 6 ALBERT NATHANIEL. 

Albert N. Lane, son of Anson G. and Lydia A. (Welton) 
Lane, married Esther Millicent, daughter of James Alcott, Nov. 
17, 1855, and lives on the Lane homestead. 

Child: 22 Elsie Salina, b Aug. 18, 1856. 



LEWIS. 



I WILLIAM. 



William Lewis came from England in the ship "Lion," which 
arrived at Boston Sept. 16, 1632. He was admitted freeman Nov. 
6, 1632, and belonged to the Braintree company which removed 
from Braintree August, 1632, to Cambridge. He was one of the 
earliest settlers of Hartford in 1636, and was juryman and select- 
man in 1641. He afterwards became one of the first settlers of 
Hadley in 1653; was representative for Hadley in 1662 and for 
Northampton in 1665. His wife's name was Felix, who died in 
Hadley April 17, 167 1. Soon after, he removed to Farmington, 
where he died Aug. 2, 1683. 

Child : 2 William, the only child, was born in England. 

2 WILLIAM, JR. 

William Lewis, son of William and Felix Lewis, married, 1644, 
Mary Hopkins, said to have been a daughter of William Hopkins 
of Stratford ; 2d, Mary Cheever, daughter of the celebrated school 
teacher, Ezekiel Cheever, of New Haven. He was an important 
man in Farmington, being first registrar. 

Children by first wife : 3 Mary, b May 6, 1645, m Benjamin 
Judd, son of Thomas; 4 Lewis Philip, bapt Dec. 13, 1646; 5 
Samuel, b Aug. 18, 1648 ; 6 Sarah, b 1652, m Daniel Boltwood ; 
7 Hannah; 8 William; 9 Felix ; 10 Ebenezer ; 11 John; 12 
James. By second wife : 13 FJizabeth,h Oct. 20, 1672, d 1674; 
14 Ezekiel, b Nov. 7. 1674; 15 A T athaniel,\> Oct. 1. 1676; 16 
Abigail, b Sept. [9, 1678; 17 Joseph, b March 15, 1679 or 80; 
18 Daniel, b July 16, 1681. 

5 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Lewis, son of William and Mary (Hopkins) Lewis, 
39 



5 H HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

married Elizabeth and was made freeman, 1676. He held 

the rank of Sergeant and died Nov., 1725. 

Children : 19 Hannah, bapt Oct. 4, 1691 ; 20 Samuel, b March 
29, 1692 ; 21 John, b Sept. 28, 1703 ; 22 Nehemiah, b May 3, 
1705 ; 23 Nathan, b Jan. 23, 1707 ; 24 Hester, b Nov. 8, 1708 ; 
25 Josiah, b Dec. 31, 1709 ; 26 Job, b Jan. 13, 17 13. 

23 NATHAN. 

Nathan Lewis, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Lewis, married 
Mary Gridley, July 28, 1730, and settled in Southington where 
he died Sept. 7, 1799. 

Children: 27 Job, b April 20, 1731, m Hannah Curtiss ; 28 
Rhoda, b 1733; 29 Nathan, b Dec. 15, 1734; 30 Lemuel, b 
1735 i 3 1 Timothy, b April 18, 1740 ; 32 Mary, b Dec. 31, 1743 ; 
^ Asahel, b Feb. 25, 1744 or 5 ; 34 Nathaniel b Dec, 1747, set- 
tled in Wolcott; 35 Hannah, b 1753. 

30 LEMUEL. 

Lemuel Lewis, son of Nathan and Mary (Gridley) Lewis, mar- 
ried Royce, lived in Southington. He died in 1821, ae. 86. 

Children: 36 Ebenezer ; 37 Elisha ; 38 Royce, b Feb. 1, 1784; 
39 Merab, m Dr. Root ; 40 Sally, m Arnold Atwater, and had 
children Orrin, Charles, John, Heman, Laura, Emeline, Belinda, 
Maria; 41 , who m Newell. 

34 NATHANIEL. 

Capt. Nathaniel Lewis, son of Nathan and Mary (Gridley) 
Lewis, married Sarah Gridley, Feb. 15, 1769, and settled on 
Southington mountain, on what is still known as the Capt. Lewis 
place. He held the rank of Captain, and was, otherwise, one of 
the most efficient men in the Society and in the town of Wolcott. 
His wife Sarah died Aug. n, 1800, ae. 68. He married, 2d, 
widow Lydia Frisbie. He died Feb. 24, 1839, ae - 9°> an< ^ on his 
gravestone is written: "He was one of the first settlers of this 
town. An honest man." 

Children: 42 Sylvia, b Dec. 31, 1770, m Isaac Upson of Wol- 
cott ; 43 Reuben, b Aug. 16, 1772; 44 Appleton, b Aug. 18, 1774; 
45 Addin, b Nov. 18, 1776, d, being scalded, Nov. 1, 1779; 46 



GENEALOGI1 SS. 5 I 5 

Addin, b Jan. 14, — ; 47 Roxanna, b Nov. 28, — , m Lee Upson ; 
4S Salome, in Seth Peek; 49 Nathaniel G. ; 50 Sarah. 

38 ROTCE. 

Royce Lewis, son of Lemuel and (Royce) Lewis, married 

Electa, daughter of Pomeroy Newell, and settled in Wolcott in 
1798. His wife was born Feb. 2, 1783, d 1808. He married 
2d, widow Fanny Smith, in 1809. He died in 1848, ae. 64. 

Children by first wife : 51 Lucy, b 1799, m Romeo Warren, set- 
tled in South Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., and had children, 
Andrew, Mary, Sophia, Edward; 52 Charles, b June 1803; 53 
Lemuel, and 54 Edwin Newell, twins, b Nov. 7, 1806; 55 Pome- 
roy, 1) June 1808. By second wife: 56 Electa, b 1810, m Ely 
Sanford. lives in Binghampton, N. Y., had children, Edwin and 
Emerson; 57 Ann, b 181 2, m Edward Terry, and died in Water- 
bury, leaving one son, George E., b Sept. 15, 1836; 58 Harvey, 
b 1813; 59 Laura, b 1816, m Lewis Wilmot, lived and died in 
New. Haven, had children, Mordant, John, Lewis; 60 Fanny, b 
18 1 8, m Orrin L. Botsford, lives in Plainville, and had children, 
Thomas, Lucy J., Catharine; 61 Martha, b 1826. 

43 REUBEN. 

Reuben Lewis, son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Gridley) Lewis, 
married Mary Hall of Wolcott. 

Children: 62 Nathaniel C, b Dec. 16, 1797; 63 Sylvia, m 
Levi B. Frost; 64 Ira G., m Fanny Tully of Southington; 65 
Luman ■ 66 Thomas Z. ; 67 Ives A. ; 68 Sarah G., m Henry A. 
Pond of Bristol, Conn., and had children, Robert H. and Ellen S. 

44 APPLETON. 

Appleton Lewis, son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Gridley) Lewis, 
married widow Lois Hall, Nov. 15, 1797, and lived near his fa- 
ther's home. He died July 29, 1820, ae. 46. His wife, Lois, 
died March 23, i860, ae. 83. 

Children: 69 Rufus, b Oct. 29, 1798; 70 Mille Ann, b Sept. 
7, 1800, m Joel Wightman of Southington; 71 Edward, b June 
27, 1802, m Janette Wightman of Southington; 72 Alfred, b 
June 20, 1804, m Rosanna Barnes of Southington ; 73 Julina, b 
Oct. 22, 1807, m Truman Dailey of Watertown ; 74 Lloyd, b Jan. 



5 l6 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

15, 1 810, m Dama Phinney of Southington; 75 Dennis, b Feb. 

16, 18 1 2, m Lucinda Phinney of Southington; 76 Lois Melissa, 
b Nov. 28, 1814; 77 Jared Appleton, b Jan. 9, 18 18, d Aug. 17, 
1825. 

46 ADDIN. 

Addin Lewis, son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Gridley) Lewis, 
married Fanny Lewis of Southington, and had three children, all 
of whom died young. • He was a merchant, and while pursuing 
this business in Mobile, Ala., he was elected mayor of the city, 
and was highly respected. He became quite wealthy, and re- 
turned to New Haven, where he died, leaving, by bequest, $8,500 
to the town of Wolcott, the interest to be used for the support of 
public schools. He left, also, nearly $15,000 for an academy in 
Southington. In these gifts he has left monumental honors more 
lasting than granite or marble, and conferred the greatest possible 
benefit upon his native town and its half-mother town, Southing- 
ton. (See remarks on p. 200, and the will of Mr. Lewis, on 
p. 201.) 

49 NATHANIEL G. 

Nathaniel G. Lewis, son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Gridley) 
Lewis; married Amanda Truesdel of Bristol. 

Children: 78 Sophia, m Russel Judson of Bristol, Conn.; 79 
Maria, died ; 80 Amanda, m Jeremiah Ely of Hartford. 

52 CHARLES. 

Charles Lewis, son of Royce and Electa (Newell) Lewis, 
married Emeline Bartholomew, and lives in Plainville, Conn. 

Children: 81 Henry; 82 Romeo; 83 Gustavus ; 84 Marion ; 
85 Nellie; 86 Josephine. 

53 LEMUEL. 

Lemuel Lewis, son of Royce and Electa (Newell) Lewis, mar- 
ried Eliza Tubbs, and lives in Oxford, Chenango Co., N. Y. 
Children: 87 Electa; 88 Lucy ; ^Elizabeth; 90 Charles. 

54 EDWIN NEWELL. 

Dea. Edwin N. Lewis, son of Royce and Electa (Newell) 
Lewis, married Lucinda Curtiss, Nov. 27, 1833, and lives in 
Plainville, Conn. 



GENEALOGIES. 517 

Children: 91 Rudett A. t b May, 1836; 92 Charles C, b April 
6, 1840; 93 Ella F., b Sept. 22. 1.S48, m Henry T. Gibson of 
Woodbury, Conn. 

55 POMEROY. 

Pomeroy Lewis, son of Royce and Electa (Newell) Lewis. 

married , and lives in California. 

Children: 94 Thomas; 95 Charles; and others. 

58 HARVEY. 

Harvey Lewis, son of Royce and Fanny (Smith) Lewis, mar- 
ried Elizabeth Bassett, and lives in Salem Center, Indiana. 

Children: 96 Hiram; 97 Laura A.; 98 Newell; 99 Dwight; 
100 Frank. 

62 NATHANIEL C. 

Nathaniel C. Lewis, son of Reuben and Mary (Hall) Lewis, 
married Lucy N. Adams of Bristol, March 19, 1823, and died 
Aug. 19, 1849, ae - 5 2 - His wife died Feb. 19, 1855. 

Children: 101 Reuben Bennet, b Jan. 18, 1824; 102 Anna Lu- 
cina, b Feb. 10, 1827, d Oct. 16, 1828. 

65 LU-MAN. 

Luman Lewis, son of Reuben and Mary (Hall) Lewis, married 
Maria Foot of Southington. 

Children : 103 Addin, m Eliza Goldsmith of Torrington ; 104 
George F, m Emma A. Cowles of Southington; 105 Emma, m 
Bernard Kennedy of New York; 106 James, m Alice Riley of 
Southington; 107 Sarah, m Joseph Long of Southington; 108 
Dwight //., m Julia Johnson of Southington. 

66 THOMAS Z. 

Thomas Z. Lewis, son of Reuben and Mary (Hall) Lewis, 
married Samantha Seeley of Waterbury. 

Children: 109 Mary Z, in Bennett Merchant of Waterbury; 
no Reuben T. ; in Alice. 

67 ives a. 

Ives A. Lewis, son of Reuben and Mary (Hall) Lewis, mar- 
ried, 1st, Almira Hall of Waterbury, and, 2d, Harriet N. Thomp- 
son of Southington. 



510 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Children: 112 Oliver R.. m Sarah Thorp of Long Branch, 
N. J. By second wife : 113 Arvilla ; 114 Ida H. 

91 BURDETT A. 

Burdett A. Lewis, son of Edwin A. and Lucinda (Curtiss) 
Lewis, married Anna Westover of New Britain, and lives in 
Plantsville. 

Children: 115 Burton '\V. ; 116 Bray ton ; 117 Helen. 

I OI REUBEN BENNETT. 

Reuben B. Lewis, son of Nathaniel C. and Lucy (Adams) 
Lewis, married Eunice Osborn of Oxford, Conn., Jan. 29, 185 1, 
and lives in Marion, Southington. 

Children: 118 Rosena Theresa, b Nov. 18, 185 1; 119 Emma 
Lucina, b July 21, 1854 ; 120 Emerson JVellesley, b Jan. 31, 1856 ; 
121 Warren Fremont, b Sept. 5, 1862. 



LINDSLEY. 

BENJAMIN. 

Benjamin Lindsley was born, tradition says, in Branford, 
Conn., in 1743. He married Keturah Auger, who was born in 
1748. He settled'in Bristol in 1773 or 4, his first deed being 
dated 1774. He died in 1784, and his wife died in 1824. 

Children: 1 Sara//, b Feb. 5. 1766; 2 Keturah. b Feb. 2, 1768 ; 
3 Lud, b Sept. 24, 1770; 4 Rachel, b Oct. 24, 1772; 5 fared, b 
Dec. 5, 1774; 6 Lucretia, b March 17, 1777; 7 Dorcas, b April 
i2, 1779; 8 Benjamin, b Nov. 10, 1782; 9 Eldad, b June 19, 
1784. All of these children married and removed to central part 
of New York State except the third, Lud. 

3 LUD. 

Lud LlNDSLEY, son of Benjamin and Keturah (Auger) Lind- 
sley, married Hannah Gaylord of Bristol and settled in Wolcott. 
in the Spring of 1801, on Rose Hill, afterward called Lindsley Hill. 

Children: 10 Rebecca A., b March 8, 1798, d June 2, 1814; 
11 Murilla, b Jan. 7, 1800; 12 Hannah .1/. b Sept. 16, 1802, m 
Gad Lewis of Bristol; 13 Rachel, b Jan. 2, 1805, d Feb. 12, 1841 ; 
14 Benjamin A., b July 31, 1809; 15 Samuel, b Dec. 2, 181 1, d 
Nov. 14, 1855; 16 Charlotte A'., b Dec. 21, 1816, m Stillman 
Bronson of Wolcott. 

14 BENJAMIN A. 

Benjamin A. Lindslkv. son of Lud and Hannah (Gaylord) 
Lindsley, married Lucina, daughter of Selah Upson, May 16, 1844, 
and lived on his father's homestead. He was a good citizen, an 
industrious farmer, and is said to have had the best cultivated 
farm in the town. He was an active, reliable member of the So- 
ciety and church, and is spoken of throughout the community, 
with respect and honor. He died Feb. 22, 1867, leaving no chil- 
dren. 519 



MERRILL. 

[ SILAS. 

Si [-as Merrill married Sylvia, daughter of Abel Curtiss, and 
lived in Wolcott. 

Children : 2 Polly, m Ashbel Allen and removed to Salisbury, 
Conn.; 3 Sheldon, never married; 4 Roxy ; 5 Willis, b Jan. 19, 
1803 ; 6 Harriet, m Johnson Alcott. 

5 WILLIS. 

Willis Merrill, son of Silas and Sylvia (Curtiss) Merrill, mar- 
ried Julia Anna, daughter of Medad Alcott, Oct. 18, 1827. She 
was born Oct. 12, 1806. 

Children: 7 Harriet, b Aug. 13, 1828, d Sept. 25, 1829; 8 Lu- 
celia, b March 30, 183 1, m Timothy Root of Wolcott, April 18, 
1861 j 9 Sylvia Aim, b March 3, 1836, d May 29, 1836; 10 Juli- 
ette, b July 6, 1844, m Arthur W. Ashburn, June 7, 1866, and has 
children, Willis Merrill, b July 9, 1868, Addison Alcott, b March 
26, 1870. Walter James, b Jan. 5, 1872. 

520 



MINOR.* 

I CLEMENT. 

Clement Minor inherited the homestead of his father, William, 
in Somerset, England, and departed this life the 31st of March, 
1640. and was interred in Chow Magna, in the county of Somer- 
set. 

Children: 2 Clement ; 3 Thomas; 4 Elizabeth ; 5 Mary. 

3 THOMAS. 

Thomas Minor, emigrated to '"Connecticut Colony in New 
England" and was living at Stonington. Conn., in 1683. 

His children were: 6 John, who removed to Stratford, then to 
Woodbury. Conn. ; t 7 Thomas, of whom we U\\(\ no record ; 8 
Clement, married an led in New London, where some of his 

descendents now live, and from whom the Lyme Minors sprung; 
1) Ephraim, settled in Stonington; 10 Judah, record says, went 
East ; 1 1 Manassah, settled in Stonington, ancestor of the North 
Stonington Minors ; 12 Joseph ; [3 Samuel ; [4 Ann; 15 Maria; 
1 6 Eunice ; 1 7 Elizabeth ; 1 8 Hannah. 



Iededia'h Minor was born in Lyme. Conn., and married Eliza- 
beth Marvin of that place, and settled in Wolcott about 1; -'. 
and lived, first, on the road going directly east from the Center 
towards Dea. Carter's present dwelling. He lived a little east oi 



* Cothren's History of Ancient Woodbury. 

(• Grace, daughter of Capt. John Miner of Stratford, and afterwards "i 
iury, married Samuel Grant, Jr., of Windsor, Conn., April 11 (688 
and thus became the ancestress <>f Gen. Ulysses S. (Iran', the President "f 

4^ 



522 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

the top of the hill, and afterwards moved to the top of the hill, 
north of Augustus Minor's present dwelling. 

Children : i Betsey, m William Roberts of Bristol ; 2 Joseph, 
who was about 12 years old when his father came to Wolcott ; 3 
Esther, m Samuel Atkins, who lived half a mile east of Levi At- 
kins' present dwelling; 4 Dan, enlisted in Revolutionary army 
and died with small pox; 5 Caleb ; 6 Lucretia, m Michael Day- 
ton of Watertown; 7 Lucy, m Jesse Alcox, June 16, 1791 ; 8 
Theda, m William Barnes of Southington ; 9 Joshua; 10 Eliza- 
beth. 

2 JOSEPH. 

Joseph Minor, son of Jedediah and Elizabeth (Marvin) Minor, 
married Miry, daughter of Capt. Samuel Upson. He lived and 
died on his father's homestead, a mile north of Wolcott Center. 

Children: 11 An Infant that died May 3, 17S3; 12 Archibald 
b May 23, 1784; 13 Joseph, b April 22, 1786; 14 Wealthy^ b 
Dec. 8, 1789, m Elihu Moulthrop; 15 Marcus, b July 17, 1790; 
16 Marvin, b Aug., 1792; 17 Nancy b July 12, 1798, m Orrin 
Hall; 18 Mary, b Nov. 23, 1800, m Ephraim Hall. 

5 CALEB. 

Caleb Minor, son of Jedediah and Elizabeth (Marvin) Minor, 
married Jane Terrill of Naugatuck, and lived in Wolcott, for a 
time, then removed to Sheffield, Mass., where he died. 

Children: 19 Isaac; 20 Sally; 21 Theda y 22 Betsey ; 23 



9 JOSHUA. 

Joshua Minor, son of Jedediah and Elizabeth (Marvin) Minor, 
married Diadama Alcox and lived in the northwestern part of the 
town. 

Children: 2 4 Selden ; 25 Hiram; 26 Renselaer / 27 Newell; 
28 Lucy, m Ezra S. Hough; 29 Diadama, m George Plumb; 30 
Olive. 

12 ARCHIBALD. 

Archibald Minor, son of Joseph and Mary (Upson) Minor, 
married Betsey Tuttle of Plymouth, Oct. 27, 1808, and resides 
half a mile north of the Meeting house, being in his ninety-first 
year. He has been one of the most useful, respected, and hon- 



GENEALOGI] 523 

ored citizens of Wolcott, having served the town in many offices 
for many years. A shed with the pen. his legible hand- 

writing adorns many a page of town records, (rifted with a voice 
of great melody he aided, man) years, divine worship with regu- 
larity and heart) earnestness, nor has his voice yet. though much 
broken, lost all its sweetness or power. His 1 oars seem 

tinted with a richer golden sunset than falls to the lot of many in 
this world. 

Children: 31 Henry, b !' 7, J09 ; 32 Harriet, b Dec. 8, 

r8i 1. m George W. Welton of Waterbury. 

13 JOSEPH, JR. 

Joseph Minor, son of Joseph and Mary (Upson) Minor, mar- 
ried Charlotte Munson of Wolcott. lived a time on the David Nor- 
ton farm, then removed to Ohio. 

Children: 33 Austin ; 34 Marcus; 35 . 

15 MAR( 1 s. 

Marcus Minor, son of Joseph and Man- (Upson) Minor, mar- 
ried Harriet, daughter of Titus Hotchkiss, and lived a time on the 
ol 1 In nastea 1. then on the oil Squire Charles Upson place, and 
later he removed to Bristol, where he died S^pt. 8, 1872, ae. 80. 

Children : 36 Maria, h Oct. 29, 1813, m, Nov. 2.2, 1838, Willard 
Downs, lived in Wolcott and had children, Edson, b Sept. 10, 
1839 (who m Josephine Upson and had children, Lizzie M. and 
George E.), Untie E., b Aug. 14, 1842. She died April 25, 
1872; 37 Marshall and 38 Marcus, twins, b June 16, 1824. 

16 MARVIN. 

Marvin Minor, son of Joseph and Mary (Upson) Minor, mar- 
ried Amanda Johnson of Bristol. She died' June 22. r 8 5 1 . He 
died Nov. 7, 1864. 

Children : 39 Caroline, b April 29, 1819, 40 Augustus, b March 
11, 182 1 ; 41 James IV., b Feb. n, 182S; 42 Elvira, b July 28, 
1831. 

51 HENRY. 

Henry Minor, son of Archibald and Betsey (Tuttle) Minor, 
married Sarah J. Clark of Waterbury, and resides on the home- 



524 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

stead of his father. He has served the town in various offices be- 
sides being Town Clerk twenty-five years. 
Child : 43 Theron C. A. 

37 MARSHALL. 

Marshall Minor, son of Marcus and Harriet (Hotchkiss) Mi- 
nor, married Mary E. Downs. 

Children: 43 Marcus IV., b July 29, 1852; 44 George JV., b 
Tuly 9, 1854; 45 Cornelius E.,b July 29, 1856; 46 Etta A., b 
May 15, 1859. 

40 AUGUSTUS. 

Augustus Minor, son of Marvin and Amanda (Johnson) Mi- 
nor, married Emogene E. Frisbie, and lives on his father's farm, 
in a new house built by himself. 

Child : 47 Charlie J., b Aug. 26, 1855. 

43 THERON. 

Theron C. A. Minor, son of Henry and Sarah J. (Clark) 
Minor married, Dec. 1, 1861, Sarah Jane, daughter of Erastus W. 
Warner of Wolcott and resides in Waterbury. 

Child: 48 Myrtie D., b Oct. 6, 1862. 



MOULTHROP. 

MOULTHROPP, MOLTHROP, MOULTROP, MOULL- 

TROP, MOLTROP, MOLTROUP, MOULTROUP, 

MOULTREP. 

This is a Danish name and the first Matthew Moulthrop is said 
to have come from Denmark to .New Haven There are all of 
the above spellings on the records except the second, which is 
probably the original one. Moulthropp. 

I MATTHEW. 

M.vuiiiu Moulthrop, married Jain — , was early in New 
Haven and removed to Stony River. Fast Haven, in 1662. 

Children: 2 Matthew ; 3 Elizabeth, m John Gregory, 1663; 4 
Mary. 

2 MATTHEW, JR. 

Matthem Moulthrop, son of Matthew and Jane Moulthrop, 
married Hannah Thomson in 1662. lived in East Haven. 

Children: 5 Hannah, b Jan.. 1663, d young; 6 Hannah, b 
April 20. 1665 ; 7 John, b Feb. 5. 1667; 8 Matthew, b July 18, 
[670; 9 Infant, b 1673; 10 Lydia, b Aug. 8, 1674; ri Samuel, 
I) |une 1677. d : 1: Samuel, b April r 3. 1679 ; r 5 Keziah, b April 
12. 16.S2. 

7 JOHN. 

|ohn' Moulthrop, son of Matthew and Hannah (Thompson) 
Moulthrop, married Abigail Bradley, June 29, 1692, lived in East 
Haven. 

Children: 14 Abigail, b Aug. 12, 1693; 15 John, b March 17, 
[696 ; r6 Mary, b [698, d ; 17 Sarah, b 1701. m Adonijah Mor- 
ris; 18 Zto», b Dec. 1. 1703; 19 Israel, b June 7. 1706 ; 20 /<'- 
seph; 21 Timothy. 



526 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

20 JOSEPH. 

Joseph Moulthrop, son of John and Abigail (Bradley) Moul- 
throp, married Mary Wheadpn, lived in East Haven. 

Children: 22 Joseph ; 23 Elihu; z\Jude; 25 Adonijah, lost in 
the French war; 26 Hannah; 27 Rhoda ; 28 Mary; 29 Lucretia; 

30 Abigail. 

23 ELIHU. 

Elihi Moulthrop, son of Joseph and Mary (Wheadon) Moul- 
throp, married Mary Hotchkiss, Nov. 21, 1770, lived in East 
Haven until after the birth of his children, when he removed to 
Wolcott. 

Children: 31 Jared; 32 Polly; 33 Adonijah; 34 Elihu; 35 
Esther. 

34 ELIHU, 2D. 

Elihu Moulthrop, son of Elihu and Mary (Hotchkiss) Moul- 
throp, married Wealthy, daughter of Joseph Minor, in 1807, and 
lived in Wolcott. 

Children: 36 Caroline, b Aug. 21, 1808, d; 37 Levi, b Jan. 5, 
181 1 ; 38 Sherman, b May 18, 1813 ; 39 Elihu, b March 16, 
1816 ; 40 Mary, b Jan. 12, 1824, d 1826. 

37 levi. 

Levi Moulthrop, son of Elihu and Wealthy (Minor) Moul- 
throp, married Charlotte S. J. Stocking, Sept. 8, 1841. She was 
born June 9, 1825. 

Children: 41 Philura Phonora,h Nov. 16, 1842, m, 1st, Moses 
S. Fuller, 2d, Joseph B. Fenn, had two children, both died young. 
She died July 1,1872; 42 John Roioe, b Feb. 20, 1845 ; 43 Henry 
Harwood, b Feb. 6, 1849. 

38 sherm w. 

Sherman Moulthrop, son of Elihu and Wealthy (Minor) 
Moulthrop married Sarah Ann, daughter of Eldad Alcott, April 
23, 1835, and lives on the old David Alcox place. 

Children: 44 Theodore, b Feb. 4, 1836; 45 Augusta, b March 
19, 1838. m George Waters of Waterbury; 46 Newell, b Feb. 29, 
[840; 47 Frederick, b Dec. 12. 1844. d March 5, 1853 ; 48 Ed- 
gar S., b Nov. 10. 1847 ; 49 Frederick C, b July 30. 1855. 



GENEALOGIES. 527 

39 ELIHU, 3D. 

Elihu Moulthrop, son of Elihu and Wealthy (Minor) Moul- 
throp, married Sarah M., daughter of Lucius Tuttle, and lives in 
Wolcott. 

Children : 50 Antoinette M., b Sept. \. 1839, m Robert Steven- 
son of Ansonia and has a daughter Jessie E.; 51 Evelyn E., b 
July 12, 1841, enlisted in late war and died Aug. 30, 1864, in 
Georgia. 

46 NEWELL. 

Newell M01 lthr ~'\ son of Sherman and Sarah A. (Alcott) 
M 1 I'i'ir > >. in irri :d Jennie E. Thompson fuly 5, 1868. 

Child: George, b May 24, 1870. 

48 EDGAR S. 

Edgar S. M ' 1 ■. s >n of Sherman and Sarah A. (Alcott) 
M mlthrop, married Kate Rogers of Cornwall, Coin.. April, 1870. 



MUNSON 



I WILLIAM A. 



William A. Munson was born in Waterbury Dec. 14, 1824, 
and married, Oct. 5, 1846, Julia A., daughter of Ephraim Hall. 

Children : 2 Cornelius F., b Dec. 28, 1849 > 3 ^ nez Y&&, b May 
15, 1852, ra John Thompson of East Haven, resides in Water- 
bury, and has children, Ella Mary, b Jan. 2, 1870, John, b Jan. 
15, 1873 : 4 Eva Luc/la. d young. 

2 CORNELIUS F. 

Cornelius F. Munson, son of William A. and Julia A. (Hall) 
Munson, married Eveline 1., daughter of Merritt Frisbie of South- 
ington. 

Child: Emma Fidelia, b May 31, 187 1. 

528 



NICHOLS. 

The ancestor of the Waterbury Nicholses came from Long 
Island. 

I RICHARD. 

Richard Nichols, son of George of Long Island, had 
Children: i Elijah; 2 Joseph ; 3 Sam me ; 4 James ; 5 Rich- 
ard; 6 Sarah; 7 Marian, m Bronson; 8 Lydia ; 9 Tamar. 

3 SAMME. 

Samme Nichols, son of Richard, married Abigail Landon, and 
lived in the western part of the town of Waterbury. 

Children: 10 Erastus, d young; 11 Charles ; 12 Polly ; 13 
Almira ; 14 Abigail ; 15 Julia; 16 Erastus, b June 8, 1798; 17 
Rhoda ; 18 Bit hard; 19 Jessie ; 20 Harriet, d young; 21 Har- 
riet. 

16 ERASTUS. 

Erastus Nichols, son of Samme and Abigail (Landon) 
Nichols, married Rachel Pardee, Feb. 25, 1819, and resides on 
the Pardee place, in Woodtick. She was born April 30, 1798. 

Children: 22 Phyletta, b Feb. 1, 1820, m Frances Wood, and 

lives in Southington ; 23 George E., b June 8, 182 1 ; 24 Samuel, 

1) Sept. 3, 1823 ; 25 Polly,b Aug. 27, 1825. d Dec. 25, 1825; 26 

Polly, b Nov. 6, 1826, m David T. Welton, d Sept. 8, 1845; 27 

Frederick I.., b Nov. 1, 1832 ; 28 Emma E., b April 24, 1838, d 

Aug. 22, 1863. 

23 geor<;k. 

George Nichols, son of Erastus and Rachel (Pardee) Nichols, 
married Eliza O. Marsh of Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y. 

Child: 29 Mary Henrietta, b Oct. 31, 1845, m Luther S. Hall, 
of Middletown, Conn. 

41 



530 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

24 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Nichols, son of Erastus and Rachel (Pardee) Nichols, 
married Charlotte Wells, Jan. 18, 185 1. She was born July 12, 
1830. 

Children: 30 Eugene Ellison^ b Jan. 18, 1854; 31 Emma 
Eliza, b Sept. 12, 1861, d Jan. 29, 1865 ; 32 Samuel, b Sept. 16, 
1872. 

2.7 FREDERICK L. 

Frederick L. Nichols, son of Erastus and Rachel (Pardee) 
Nichols, married Helena Ann Stevens of Wolcott, Nov. 2, 1854. 
She died June 24, 1864. 

Children: 33 Helen £., b Nov. 27, 1857; 34 Susan E., b. 
Sept. 2, 1861 ; 35 Charlotte E. Joslin, an adopted daughter, b 
Feb. 13, 1853, m, June, 1872, Henry Carnett, resides in New- 
York Mills, N. Y. 

30 EUGENE ELLISON. 

Eugene E. Nichols, son of Samuel and Charlotte (Wells) 
Nichols, married Emma A. Smith of New London, Sept. 20, 

i873- 



NORTON. 

Thomas Norton, emigrated from Ackley in Surrey, England, 
to Guilford, Conn., in 1639, having a wife and three daughters at 
that time. He married Grace Wells some fourteen years before 
he came to America. 

Children : 1 Anne, b about 1625, and m John Warner of Say- 
brook and Hartford ; 2 Grace, b 1627, m William Seward, April 
2, 1651, of New Haven and Guilford, and d May 29, 1689; 3 
Mary, b 1635, m Samuel Rockwell, son of William of Windsor, 
April 9, 1660; 4 John, b 1640; 5 Abigail, b 1642, m Ananias 
Tryon of Killingworth, Aug. 6, 1667; 6 Thomas, b 1646, m Eli- 
zabeth Mason, May 8, 167 1. 

4 JOHN. 

John Norton, son of Thomas and Grace (Wells) Norton, mar- 
ried, 1st, Hannah Stone, 2d, Elizabeth Hubbard. He was a mil- 
ler of Guilford, and died May 5th, 1704. 

Children: 7 John, b Nov. 18, 1666, d Jan. 10, 1667; 8 John, 
b May 29, 1668; 9 Susannah, b Oct. 4, 1672 ; 10 Mary, b 1680; 
11 Thomas, b May 4, 1675 ; 12 Hannah, b Feb. 4, 1677 or 8, m 
Ebenezer Stone, Jan. 16, 1702. 

8 JOHN, JR. 

John Norton, Jr., son of John the miller of Guilford, married 
Hannah, daughter of Emanuel Perk of Wethersfield, Nov. 14, £!}*•*- R 
1694. He died March 15, 171 1. She died Oct. 22, 1730- 

Children: 13 Anna, b Oct. 16, 1695, d Oct., 1721 ; 14 Mary, 
b Dec. 6, 1697 ; 15 John, b Dec. 23, 1699; 16 Sarah, b Feb. 26, 
1702; 17 Joseph, b Oct. 10, 1704: 18 Elizabeth, b Oct. 6, 1706, 
m David Benton, Aug. 8, 1728, of Guilford, d Aug. 25, 1756; 
19 Hannah, b March 4, 17 10, d 1724. 



532 HI-STORY OF WOLCOTT. 

15 JOHN, 3 D. 

John Norton, son of John and Hannah (Peck) Norton, mar- 
ried, 1 st, Elizabeth Robinson, and, 2d, Mary Morgan, daughter 
of John of Groton. He lived in Guilford and died Jan. n, 1798, 
ae. 99. 

Children: 20 Hannah / 21 John y 22 Ruth, m Nathan Chit- 
tenden, Oct. 23, 1756, of Guilford ; 23 Zebulon, m Naomi Booth, 
moved to Wolcott, and afterwards to Bloomfield, N. J. ; 24 Abra- 
ham, m ■ Doolittle, removed to Wolcott, had 4 sons and 9 

daughters ; 25 Mary, m I. Pierce of Southbury, Conn. ; 26 
Nathan; 27 Andrew; 28 Huldah ; 29 Elizabeth, b 1732, d 
single, Oct. 21, 1788. 

17 JOSEPH. ^ 

Joseph Norton, son of John and Hannah (Peck) Norton, mar- 
ried Mary Champion of Lyme, April n, 1728. He died in 
Guilford, May 9. 1781. His widow, Mary, resided several years 
in Wolcott with her son David and is said to have been 105 years 
old when she left Wolcott and went to Guilford to live with a son 
there. She died, July 13, 1800, ae. no years. 

Children : 30 Simeon, b May 3, 1729, lived in Guilford and d 
Dec. 22, 1772 ; 31 David, b Oct. 21, 1730; 32 William, b Jan. 
22, 1732, d June 17, 1760; ^ Hannah, b Oct. 1, 1734 ; 34 Phil- 
amon, b June 24, 1736, d Oct. (?), 1736; 35 Noah, b Jan. 27, 
1740, d May 31, 1763; 36 Beniah, b 1742, d Nov. 10, 1803. 

31 DAVID. 

David Norton, son of Joseph and Mary (Champion) Norton, 
married, 1st, Submit Benton, Nov. n, 1752. She died about 
1755. He married, 2d, Suza Bishop. His home and farm were 
about half a mile south west from Wolcott Center. Dea. Aaron 
Harrison speaks of him, after his death, in the highest terms, both 
as a citizen and Christian. Abraham Norton, of considerable note 
in this town, was first cousin to this David. 

Children: 37 Ozia's, b Feb. 10, 1753; 38 Cyrus, b Jan. 14, 
1755, m Jerusha Johnson of Wolcott and removed to N. Y. ; 39 
Ziba, bapt. June 20, 1757, m Ruth Hopkins, Nov. 26, 1778, had 
daughter, Philomela, m Jared Welton ; 40 Suza, bapt. June 12, 
1759; 41 Zebul, bapt. Sept. 22, 1761, m Rhoda Norton, his 



GENEALOGIES. 533 

cousin; 42 Noah Uzza, bapt. July 3, 1764, m Rachel Gillet, of 
Wolcott, April 18, 1784, settled in New York. 

37 OZIAS. 

Ozias Norton, son of David and Submit (Benton) Norton, 
married Maria Frisbie. He died Feb. 6, 1840, ae. 87. 

Children: 43 David, m 9+tff-' Welton and removed West; 44 
Keziah, m Daniel Lane, of Wolcott ; 45 Susan and 46 Elizabeth, 
twins, Susan m Daniel Byington, Elizabeth m Thomas Cook and 
settled in Ohio; 47 Moses Frisbie, -ax Percy Barber, removed to 
Ohio; 48 Jonathan Fowler, m Polly Smith, lived and died in 
Wolcott; 49 Ziba ; 50 Simeon Newton, 1> March 28, 1791 ; 51 
Jedediah Harmon, b May n, 1788. 

49 ZIBA. 

Ziba Norton, son of Ozias and Maria (Frisbie) Norton, mar- 
ried Abigail Atkins of Wolcott. 

Children: 52 Adah, b June 23, 1803, m, 1st, M. Doolittle, 2d, 
Geo. W. Royce, had children, Marcia, Cecilia, William ; 53 Tal- 
cott, b Sept. 19, 1807, m Belinda Hall of Plymouth, had daughter 
Amelia; 54 Leonora, b March 12, 1805, m Harley Downs, had 
daughters, Esther Elvira, d, and Esther Elvira; 55 Phebe, b Dec, 
1809, m George W. Winchel ; 56 Minerva, b March, 181 2, m Ev- 
erest Norton, had children, Rutilla, Rufus, Sylvester; 57 Hendric, 
b Dec, 1817; 58 Rufus, b 1819; 59 Manville, b June 8, T821; 
60 Rufinus, b Sept., 1824. 

50 SIMEON NEWTON. 

Simeon N. Norton, son of Ozias and Maria (Frisbie) Norton, 
married Rebecca Parker of Wolcott, Nov. n, 181 2. He died 
in Wolcott, Feb. 5, 1847. 

Children: 61 Simeon Hopkins, b Aug. 11, 1813; 62 Levi 
Parker, b Sept. 22, 181 5; 63 Hannah Miriam, b Jan. 4, 181 8, 
m Upson Higgins, of Wolcott; 64 Janette, b July 31, 182 1, d 
young; 65 Justina, b Aug. 8, 1822, d young; 66 Ju Una Janette, b 
Jan. 28, 1825, m Prof. Louis Bail, of New Haven; 67 Samuel 
Newton, is in California. 

51 JEDEDIAH HARMON. 

Jedediah H. Norton, son of Ozias and Maria (Frisbie) Nor- 



534 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

ton, married Hannah, daughter of Matthew Rowe of Fair Haven, 
Sept 4, 1805. She was born Sept. 21, 1782, died Sept. 9, 1873. 
He resides in Plymouth, in his 87th year. 

Children: 68 Ozias Rowe, b June 12, 1806; 69 Rodney Fris- 
bie, b Dec. 10, 1807, m Lucinda Blakeslee, of Bristol, and d Oct. 
11, 187 1 ; 70 Stephen Ludington, b July 23, 1810 ; 71 Matthew 
Simeon, b Aug. 19, 1812; 72 Selden S., b Nov. 25, 1813 ; 73 
Eunice JR., b Aug. 2*, 1817, m Lewis Smith, and resides in Hart- 
ford; 74 Hannah R., b Nov. 10, 1819, m Elliot Dawson, resides 
in Plymouth; j$Jedediah Roswell, b June 28, 1822 ; 76 Daniel 
Eli. b Sept. 16. 1826. 

57 HENDRICK. 

Hendrick Norton, son of Ziba and Abigail (Atkins) Norton, 
married Eliza Finch. 

Children: 77 Lucius; 78 Mary y 79 Emetine,' 80 George. 

58 RUFUS. 

Rufus Norton, son of Ziba and Abigail (Atkins) Norton, mar- 
ried, 1 st, Harriet Smith, 2d, FMen Beecher. 

Children: 81 Harriet: 82 Omar; 83 Winfield ; 84 Carrol; 

85 Minnie. 

59 MANVILLE. 

Manville Norton, son of Ziba and Abigail (Atkins) Norton, 
married Thankful Foss of Skaneatelas, N. Y., lives in town of 
Waterbury. 

Children : 86 Mary A. ; 87 Harley D. ; 88 Amos F. ; 89 
Adelbert H. 

60 RUFINUS. 

Rufinus Norton, son of Ziba and Abigail (Atkins) Norton, 
married Mary Ann Brooks of Albany, N. Y. 
Child : 90 Charles. 

6l SIMEON HOPKINS. 

Simeon H. Norton, son of Simeon N. and Rebecca (Parker) 
Norton, married Sarah Ann. daughter of Capt. Levi Hall, Oct. 16, 
1836, settled in Southington. She was born Oct. 26, 1813, d 
Feb. 24, 1872. 

Children : 91 Luzern Townsend, b July 22, 1841, died in the 



GENEALOGIES. 535 

Battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863 ; 92 Sarah Eveline, b 
May 26, 1846. d March 29, 1849 ! 93 Sarah Eveline, b May 19, 
1848. m Walter A. Cowles, Jan. 3, 1872. 

68 OZIAS ROWE. 

Ozias R. Norton, son of Jedediah H. and Hannah (Rowe) 
Norton, married Fanny Roper of Wolcott. 

Children : 94 Harriet ; 95 Maria ; 96 Charles ; 97 Martin. 

70 STEPHEN LUDINGTON. 

Stephen L. Norton, son of Jedediah H. and Hannah (Rowe) 
Norton, married Lucinda Bradley. He died June 7, 1867. 

Children: 98 Amnion ; 99 Lewis; 100 Oliver; 101 Andrew; 
102 Eunice; 103 Sarah; 104 Turtius / 10 5' Wallace y 106 Addie. 

7 I MATTHEW SIMEON. 

Matthew S. Norton, son of Jedediah H. and Hannah (Rowe) 
Norton, married Betsey Maria, daughter of John Thomas of Wol- 
cott, Nov. ^o, 183T. She was born Sept. i, 1811. He died 
May 22, 1874. 

Children : 107 James /?.. b Aug. 21, 1833 ; 108 Caroline E., b 
July 24, 1836. -m George A. Dingwell, and had children, Nelson, 
Wesley. Freddie. Augustus and Infant ; 109 Bnrrett M, b Jan. 30, 
1848. d June 7, 1864. in the late war, aged 16 years. 

72 seldon s. 

Seldon S. Norton, son of Jedediah H. and Hannah (Rowe) 
Norton, married, 1st, Aury C. Nichols, 2d, Anna M.. daughter of 
Arthur Decker of New York. 

Children: no Ellen Hannah, b Oct. 20, 185 1, m Lewis E. 
Dailey, 1868. and has children, Alfred and Jennie; in Lucius 
and 112 Lucian, twins, b May 19, 1855 ; 113 Emma Jane, b June 
26, 1857 ; 114 Elmar, b Feb. 26, 1862. 

76 DANIEL ELI. 

Daniel E. Norton, son of Jedediah H. and Hannah (Rowe) 
Norton, married, 1st, Mary Russell, 2d, Addie Russell. Dec. 10, 
1867. 

Children: 115 Dwight Edward, b Oct. 13, 1868; 116 Jerrus 
Step/ien, b Nov. 21, 187 1. 



PARDEE. 

Eliphalet Pardee married, ist, ■ Blakeslee and lived in 

North Haven. She died in North Haven and he married, 2d, 
widow Bishop, who died in Wolcott. 

Children: 1 David ; 2 Jessie; 3 Mary, m Solomon Barnes, 
lived and died in North Haven; 4 Abigail ; 5 Hannah, m John 
. Cooper of North Haven. 

I DAVID. 

David Pardee, son of Eliphalet Pardee, married, ist, Polly 
Spencer of North Haven, who died April 15, 1802, 2d, Philetta 
Neal, 1805. He settled in Wolcott, in Woodtick, where Erastus 
Nichols resides. He died Feb., 1844. 

Children: 6 Hannah, b Jan. 2, 1786, m Joel Curtiss of Wol- 
cott and removed to New York and died in Illinois ; 7 Rose/, b 
Feb. 23, 1788; 8 Heman, b Feb. 17, 1791 ; 9 Silas, b Sept. 13, 
1795; IO Rachel, b April 30, 1798, m Erastus Nichols, Feb. 25, 
1819, and lives on the Pardee homestead; n Linus, b Jan. 28, 
1801. 

7 ROSEL. 

Rosel Pardee, son of David and Polly (Spencer) Pardee, mar- 
ried Polly Nichols of Waterbury. 

Children: 12 Mary Ann ; 13 Esther; 14 Henry Spencer ; 15 
Jane ; 16 Nancy. 

8 heman. 

Heman Pardee, son of David and Polly (Spencer) Pardee, 
married, ist, Almira Nichols, 2d, Sarah Brockett. 

Children: 17 Isaac; 18 Charles; 19 Erne line ; 20 Isaac; 21 
Abigail; 22 Bavid; 23 Polly; 24 Charles; 25 Heman. By 
second wife : 26 Almira. 

536 



GENEALOGIES. 537 

9 SILAS. 

Silas Pardee, son of David and Polly (Spencer) Pardee, mar- 
ried Polly Root. #^va . $ &jJ.u^.^ 4- 

Children : 27 Lewis; 28 Eliza; 29 Olivia; 30 Silas; 31 
Laura Ann; 32 Belinda; $■$ Ruth M.; 34 Polly; 35 Rachel; 
36 Maria. 

11 LINUS. 

Linus Pardee, son of David and Polly (Spencer) Pardee, mar- 
ried Betsey Alcott and removed to New York State. 

Children : 37 Joseph Dwight; 38 ^«# Delight ; 39 Adelaide ; 
40 Emehza. 

42 



PARKER. 

I JOSEPH. 

Joseph Parker was among the early settlers in Wolcott. His 
house was on the bound line near Amos Seward's, south part 
of Wolcott. His wife Mary lived to be 99 years of age. 

Children : 2 Joseph M. ; 3 Zephaniah, called Zephna, or "Uncle 
Zeph " ; 4 Mary, m David Wakelee. 

2 JOSEPH MERRIAM. 

Joseph M. Parker, son of Joseph and Mary Parker, married 
Hannah, eldest daughter of Simeon Hopkins, Feb. 28, 1787. 
He was a prominent man in the Society, in his day. 

Children: 5 Eldad,h July 24, 1787; 6 Levi,h March 26, 
1 79 1 ; 7 Rebecca, b Sept. 9, 1794, m Simeon N. Norton. 

3 ZEPHANIAH. 

Zephaniah Parker, son of Joseph and Mary Parker, married 
Deborah, eldest daughter of Abel Curtiss. He sold the Churchill 
place and bought that now owned by Augustus Rose. 

Children : 8 Alpha; 9 Roena, m Selah Hall of Waterbury ; 10 
Harvey; 1 1 Almira, m Micah Ruggs of Southington ; 1 2 Almon; 
1 3 William ; 1 4 Joel / 1 5 Zephaniah / 1 6 Willard. 

5 ELDAD. 

Eldad Parker, son of Joseph M. and Hannah (Hopkins) 
Parker, married Sylvia and lived some time at Wolcott Cen- 
ter. He was a man of remarkable intellect and physical endur- 
ance, but of poor judgment, uncultivated manners at times, and 
was led captive by old customs. He died aged 85. 

Children: 17 Bennet Woodward, b May 12, 1808; 18 Joseph 



GENEALOGIES. 539 

Merriam, b Aug. n, 1814, was a wild boy, left home in his teens 
and died young. 

6 LEVI. 

Levi Parker, son of Joseph M. and Hannah (Hopkins) Parker, 
married and lived considerable of his life in New Haven. He 
was a very fine man ; was clerk in New Haven some years, then 
returned to his native town and died aged about forty years. 

Children : 19 George, who was a successful clock manufacturer 
in Bristol. He went to California about i860, where he resides, 
having accumulated a large property, and is much respected. 20 
Jane, the wife of Noah M. Pomeroy, a clock manufacturer in 
Bristol. They now reside in Hartford, in affluent circumstances. 

17 bennet woodward. 

Bennet W. Parker, son of Eldad and Sylvia Parker, was an 
ambitious, resolute boy. His father apprenticed him, against the 
wish of the boy, to Fitch A. Higgins, to learn shoemaking. He 
ran away ; was advertised as a " Ragged boy, escaping, with a lit- 
tle patch on his, back, and one cent reward, but no charges, paid 
for his recovery." A few years after, Bennet appeared in Yale 
College, where he graduated. He afterwards became a success- 
ful physician in the State of New Jersey, where he died in the 
meridian of life. 

WILLIAM. 

William Parker, supposed to be brother to Zephaniah (not 
certain) married Roxanna, daughter of Abel Curtiss, March 22, 
1808. 

Children : 1 Bennet, b March 12, 1809 ; 2 Edward, b Sept. 10, 
1812; 3 Sarah Ann., b Feb. 23, 1815 ; 4 George Wolcott, b 
March 26, 181 7 ; 5 Still man, b June 7, 181 9; 6 Charlotte, b June 
16, 182 1 ; 7 Samuel Jackson, b Sep. 25, 1829. 



PECK. 

Deacon Justus Peck* was a descendant of Deacon Paul Peck 
of Hartford, and was the son of Zebulon Peck, who died in Bris- 
tol, Conn., Jan. 13. 1795. Justus was born Nov. 14, 1737, and 
married, 'Sept. 6, 1759, Lucy Frisbie and settled in Wolcott pre- 
vious to 1762. He was Deacon twenty-eight years and his wife 
was one of the first members of the church. He died Nov. 23. 
1813, ae. 76. His wife, Lucy, died Dec. 11, 1823, ae. 83. 

Children: 1 Lucy, b March 10, 1761, m and d in New Hamp- 
shire, leaving children; 2 Elisha, b Sept. 9, 1763; 3 Mary, b 
Sept. 23, 1766, m Joshua Cook of Rutland, Vt., Jan. 20, 1789 ; 4 
Sarah, b June 10, 1768, d March 30, 1773 ; 5 Rachel, b Nov. 13, 
1 77 1, m Rev. Asa Talmadge of Southington, Oct. 17, 1801, d 
June 5, 1845 I 6 Justus, b June 28, 1774, d Sept. 2, 1777 ; 7 
Sarah, b June 28, 1779, m Titus Brockett of Wolcott, d April 23, 
1850, ae. 71 ; 8 Lowly, b Dec. 15, 1782, m Stephen Carter, Jr., 
Nov. 15, 1804, d Dec. 14, 1861, ae 79 ; 9 Rhoda,h Jan. 4, 1786, 
d March 30, 1792; 10 Justus Lot, b April 29. 1788, m Sarah 
Merriman of Southington, d April 15, 1812. 

* See Peck Genealogy. 

540 



PLUMB. 



I SIMEON. 



Simeon Plumb was among the early settlers in Wolcott, and 
married, about 1762, Mary, daughter of Joseph x\tkins, Senior, 
and lived in the northern portion of the town ; the road is known 
as " Plumb Street." His wife, Mary, died in 1807, and he died 
in 1813. 

Children: 2 Solomon: 3 Samuel, b July 13, 1766; 4 Gama- 
liel; 5 Joseph, bapt. Aug. 7, 1774; 6 Sarah, bapt. Dec. 10, 1775 ; 

7 Sylvia, bapt. June 28, 1778, m James Scarritt, June 13, 1781 ; 

8 Azariah, Amariah on church book, bapt. July 30, 1780; 9 
Sabra, m Asa Alcox, May 18, 1780 ; 10 Sibyl ; n Susanna, bapt. 
March 28, 1784. 

2 SOLOMON. 

Solomon Plumb, son of Simeon and Mary (Atkins) Plumb, 
married Lucretia Scarritt, Jan. 28, 1790. He died in 1848. 

Children: 12 Orrin ; 13 Amanda, m Solomon Griggs; 14 

Willard, b July 29, 1796; 15 Wells; 16 Romanthy, m 

Gridley ; 1 7 Jerry. 

3 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Plumb, son of Simeon and Mary (Atkins) Plumb, mar- 
ried, Sarah, daughter of Jeremiah Scarritt, Jan. 17, 1797. She 

was born Sept. 6, 1778, and married, 2d, Truesdel, and died 

Jan. 28, 1873, in her 95th year. Samuel Plumb died Oct. 25, 
1840, ae. 74. 

Children : 18 Luther Wlieaton, b Oct. 2. 1797, ^ m South Car- 
olina, July 9. 1822 ; 19 Vina, b May 1 l, 1800; 20 Ansel Har- 
vey, b Jan. 6. 1803 ; 21 • Mary, b Sept. 2. 1805. d 1806; 22 Al- 
mon, b Aug. 4, 1807 ; 23 George Henry, b Oct. 15, 1813 ; 24 
Rollin Wiard, b Feb. 11, 1821. 

541 



542 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

5 JOSEPH. 

Joseph Plumb, son of Simeon and Mary (Atkins) Plumb, mar- 
ried Phebe Sutliff, Dec. 4, 1800. She died March 22, 18 13. 

Children : 25 Sabra, b Dec. 19, 1801 ; 26 Harvey, b Aug. 6. 
1804; 27 Triphena,\> Feb. 10, 1808 ; 28 Hester, b Oct. 19. 18 10. 

12 ORRIN. 

Orrin Plumb, son of Solomon and Lucretia (Scarritt) Plumb, 
married, 1st, Diadama Gaylord, 2d, Hannah Beach, and was long 
known as Squire Plumb. He was the "Boss" politician of his 
party and received a large share of the honors of the same. 

Children: 29 Harvey; 30 Andrew^ is in the West; 31 Jane ; 
32 Diadama; 33 Sidney ; 34 Sarah. 

14 WILLARD. 

Willard Plumb, son of Solomon and Lucretia (Scarritt) Plumb, 
married Polly, daughter of Sergeant Heman Hall, Jan. 1, 1822. 
He lived within the North East School District, and died Feb. 18, 
1867. 

Children: 35 William A., b April 4, 1825, d Nov. 29, 1834; 
36 Solomon W., b Jan. 3, 1829, lives in Southington; 37 Loretta 
B., b Jan. 20, 1834, d June 21, 1837 ; 38 Levi W., b Nov. 16, 
1836, is living in Waterbury; 39 Lydia Ann, b Nov. 29, 1845, d 
Aug. 23, 1849. 

15 WELLS. 

Wells Plumb, son of Solomon and Lucretia (Scarritt) Plumb, 
married Highly Kenea, and lived in Wolcott, northeastern part. 

Children: 40 Salome, m Edwin Hough; 41 Orlando ; 42 Hen- 
ry ; 43 Henry. 

20 ANSEL HARVEY. 

Deacon Ansel H. Plumb, son of Samuel and Sarah (Scarritt) 
Plumb, married Jan. 9, 1828, Lois, daughter of James Alcott, 2d, 
and lived on the old homestead. He died Aug. 20, 1870, ae. 67, 
and is spoken of by all as a very good and reliable man, and a 
consistent, exemplary deacon. 

Children: 44 Luther W., b Sept. 16, 1832; 45 Esther A., m 
Burritt W. Beecher. 



GENEALOGIES. 543 

23 GEORGE HENRY. 

George H. Plumb, son of Samuel and Sarah (Scarritt) Plumb, 
married Diadama, daughter of Joshua Minor, May 3, 1840. She 
was born Jan. 13, 1820. They reside in Terry ville. 

Children : 46 Mary A., an adopted daughter, b May 25, 1846 ; 
47 Newell M., b Sept. 17, 1853; 48 Wallace G., b Dec. 10, 1858 ; 
49 Elsie Jane, b Dec. 15, 1861, d June 5, 1867. 

24 ROLLIN WIARD. 

Rollin W. Plumb, son of Samuel and Sarah (Scarritt) Plumb, 
married, Sept. 1, 1844, Caroline N., daughter of Jesse Brooks of 
Cheshire, and lives in Terryville. 

Children : 50 Rollin Jesse, b Sept. 13, 1853 ; 51 Henry Brooks, 
b Dec. 24, 1857 ; 52 Caroline Louisa, b Oct. 13, 1862, d Jan. 10, 
i8 7 3- 

44 LUTHER W. 

Luther W. Plumb, son of Ansel H. and Lois (Alcott) Plumb, 
married Eliza A. Harrison, May 11, 1856. 

Children : 53 Frank ; ^4 and 55 two daughters, twins. 

ROLLIN JESSE. 

Rollin Jesse, son of Rollin W. and Caroline N. (Brooks) 
Plumb, married Cora J. Rossiter, July 29, 1872, and lives in Ter- 
ryville. 

Child: 56 Charles Wetmore, b Dec. 28, 1873. 



POTTER. 

Dr. John Potter, son of Joel Potter of Southington, came 
to Wolcott and married Sept. n, 1783, Lydia, the daughter of 
Dea. Aaron Harrison, and was a practicing physician many years. 
He identified himself fully with the religious, social, and political 
interests of the town and secured only a comfortable living. For 
many years the " brethren " used to go over to Dr. Potter's house, 
at intermission on Sunday and smoke the pipe of peace, and talk 
over the important events of the town and nation; events more 
important as then regarded than any that transpire in later days. 
(See Biog., page 35.) His wife Lydia died Sept. 26, 1796. He 
married, 2d, widow Highly Clark, March 30, 1797, and removed 
West about 1820. 

Children: 1 Zephna, b Oct. 19, 1785, became a physician and 
went West; 2 Samuel Young, b Feb. n, 1794. By second wife : 
3 John Adams, b Feb. 25, 1798 ; 4 Lydia Maria, b Sept. 23, 1799, 
d Oct. 12, 1799-; 5 Albert Rodney, b Nov. 29, 1800; 6 Sarah 
Maria, b March 5, 1803. 

544 



PRITCHARD. 

I ROGER. 

Roger Pritchakd came from England and settled adjoining 
Wolcott territory in the Big Plains near Mark Warner's late resi- 
dence, on the south road from Woodtick to Waterbury. He was 
a very stout, fearless man and was chosen leader to keep the In- 
dians from committing depredations. He died Sept. 19, 1792, 
ae. 76, and was buried in the old burying ground in Waterbury 
city. 

Children: 2 Roger; 3 Amos; 4 Abraham. All settled on 
Buck's Hill. 

2 ROGER, JR. 

Roger Pritchakd, son of Roger Pritchard the first settler, 
was a tailor by trade and had no children. 

3 AMOS. 

Amos Pritchard, son of Roger Pritchard the first settler, was 
a farmer, and was called the "Old Trumpeter" on account of his 
strength of voice, which could be heard distinctly three miles. 
He was twice married. 

Children : 5 Amos ; 6 Lydia, m Eleazar Hall, had three chil- 
dren j 7 Roger, who died in infancy; 8 Sabra, m Isaac Ailing, 
had children, Elvira, Norman; 9 Roger ; 10 Orry ; w Elias ; 12 
Ruth, never m, d Jan. 16, 1873, ae - 80. 

4 ABRAHAM. 

Abraham Pritchard, son of Roger Pritchard the first settler, 
married Anna Hotchkiss and had children. 

Children: 13 Reuben; 14 Abigail, m Lemuel Cleaveland and 
had children ; 1 5 John ; 1 6 Sarah ; 1 7 Abraham. 

43 



54-6 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

5 AMOS, JR. 

Amos Pritchard, eldest son of Amos, Senr., married Limera 
Lounsbury. 

Children: 18 Asahel; 19 Roxanna; 20 Harvey; 21 Marinda; 
22 Erastus ; 23 Marshall; 24 Lovicy ; 25 Esther; 26 Betsey; 

27 Isaac. 

9 ROGER. 

Roger Pritchard, son of Amos Pritchard, married Chloe 
Nichols. 

Children: 28 Gilbert; 2 9 Dennis ; 30 Amy, m Charles Seeley, 
Dec. 24, 1843, and had children, Chloe, George, Charles, Grace 
Dwight, Polly. She died May 3, 1870. 

10 ORRY. 

Orry Pritchard, son. of Amos, Senr., married Dyer Hotch- 
kiss. 

Children: 31 Charles; 32 Henry; 33 Mary; 34 Amos; 35 
Sarah. 

1 1 elias. 

Elias Pritchard, son of Amos, Senr., married Hannah Payne. 

Children: 36 Luman ; 37 Minerva; 38 Erne line ; 39 Rebecca ; 
40 Clarissa; 41 Roxanna; 42 George; 43 David ; 44 Harvey ; 
45 Infant, d. 

13 REUBEN. 

Reuben Pritchard, son of Abraham and Anna (Hotchkiss) 
Pritchard, had 

Children : 46 Sarah, m Arad Wakelee, and had children, 
David and Sarah; 47 Amera, m Henry Oaks. 

15 JOHN. 

John Pritchard, son of Abraham and Anna (Hotchkiss) 
Pritchard had 

Children: 48 Eben ; 49 Beza ; 50 Celestia ; 51 Buel ; 52 
Luther; 53 Mary Ann ; 54 Abigail. 

28 gilbert. 

Gilbert Pritchard, son of Roger, grandson of Amos, Senr., 
married Julia Ann Sutton. 



GENEALOGIES. 547 

Children: 55 Mary, m John B. Downs and had child, Nellie; 
56 Candee ; 57 Julia. 

29 DENNIS. 

Dennis Pritchard, son of Roger, and grandson of Amos, mar 
ried, 1st, Julia A. Downs, Jan. 30, 183 1. She died Dec. 16, 1868, 
ae. 57. 2d, Mrs. Polly (Welton) Minor, March 10, 1870. He 
owns the John Norton mill property and resides on a farm a little 
east of the mill. 

Children: 58 John D., b Sept. 25, 1834; 59 Berlin, b March 
3i, 1839. 

58 JOHN D. 

John D. Pritchard, son of Dennis and Julia A. (Downs) 
Pritchard, married Caroline Norton and lived on the Thomas Up- 
son place. He died Oct. 13, 1866, in the midst of prosperity. 

Children: 60 Harriet J., b Jan. 27, 1859, d April 17, 1874; 
61 Willey E., b Dec. 7, 1863; 62 Esther C, b Aug. 30, 1866. 

59 BERLIN. 

Berlin Pritchard, son of Dennis and Julia A. (Downs) 
Pritchard, married Emily, daughter of James Alcott, Nov. 1, i860. 
He died Oct. 17, 1872. 

Child: 63 Evelyn, b Dec. 16, 1866. 



RICHARDS. 

Col. Streat Richards, son of Abijah and Huldah (Hopkins) 
Richards of Waterbury, was born Dec. 12, 1750 and married Eu- 
nice Culver, and was among the early settlers in Wolcott, near 
Potucco's Ring. He became a prominent man in the parish So- 
ciety about 1790, and for twenty years was a stirring, energetic 
citizen. He was ambitious of distinction in the way of usefulness 
to his fellow men, never shunning work or responsibility. As a 
farmer, he has left the marks that show his home to have been 
the scene of energy and thrift. The house, still standing, must 
have been equal to any in the town, in comfort, convenience and 
appearance, all of which cost energy and work. In the militia, 
and in the town offices, agencies, and enterprises, he was ready, 
always, to go to the front, with a helping hand, an open purse, 
and a resolute heart. And though at times, he may have used 
some large words with a little flourish, yet he was equal, under all 
circumstances, to the propositions he introduced. His was a use- 
ful life to the community and would have received higher consid- 
eration than it did but for a slight pretentiousness in performing 
the duties assigned him. He removed from Wolcott about 18 15, 
to Westminster, Vt., where he died in July, 1835. 

Children: 1 Polly, b June, 1778, d March, 1780; 2 Miles Hop- 
kins, b 1779, d 1834, in Waterbury, never married; 3 Achsa, b 
May 30, 1783, m Nathaniel Lewis of Wolcott, and died in 1847 ; 
4 Luther Abijah, b Sept. 25, 1785 ; 5 Sally, b in 1789, m Daniel 
Steel of Waterbury, 1813, d in Illinois, Feb. 1, 1853; 6 Amanda, 
b April 10, 1792, m Jasper Johnson, 1813, and after her sister's 
death, married Daniel Steel Feb.. 1854, d in Waukegan, 111., Aug. 
29, 1868. 



GENEALOGIES. 549 

4 LUTHER ABIJAH. 

Luther A. Richards, son of Streat and Eunice (Culver) Rich- 
ards, married in 1813, Mary Page of Vermont, and settled in 
Westminster, Vt., to which place he went in 1807 or 8. He died 
Jan. 29, 1840. 

Children: 7 Mary A., m Hobart V. Welton of Waterbury, Oct. 
28, 1834, where she resided until her death in 1873, leaving four 
children;- 8 Roderick S.; 9 Aoi/a/i, d an infant; 10 Lut/ier A.; 
n Sarah A.; 12 Amanda ; 13 Harriet; 14 Huldah H. ; 15 
Mark ; 16 Henry G. ; 17 George A. ; 18 Frances E. ; 19 William 
E. 



ROGERS. 

I JO SI AH. 

Deacon Josiah Rogers, a descendant of John Rogers, the 
martyr of England, was a wealthy and influential man in North 
Branford, now Northford. He bore the rank of captain as well 
as deacon. He bought land in Wolcott, on which his son, Josiah, 
afterwards settled as early as 1724. His sons, Edward and 
Medad, owned lands in Wolcott. He died Oct. 5, 1784, ae. 76. 
Martha, his wife, died Dec. 17, 1794, ae. 85. 

Children : 2 Ruth, b Oct. 8, 1728, m Amos Seward and d April 
29, 1810, ae. 82; 3 Rebecca, b June 10, 1731, d 1809, ae. 76 ; 4 
Josiah, b Sept. 16, 1733, settled in Wolcott; 5 Edward, b Jan. 
12, 1736 or 7, d Dec. 6, 1801 ; 6 Gideon, b Nov. n, 1739, d 
Nov. 3, 1807, ae. 68; 7 Martha, b June 6, 1741, d Oct. 16, 1819, 
ae. 79; 8 Mary, b Oct. 13, 1743; 9 Elihu, b Jan. 28, 1745; 10 
Ebenezer, b Jan. 29, 1747; n Medad, b 1750; 12 Timothy, b 
Dec. 24, 1752. 

4 JOSIAH. 

Deacon Josiah Rogers, eldest son of Josiah and Martha 

Rogers of Branford, married, 1st, Sarah • , who died Sept. 17, 

1779, ae. 40; 2d, Mary , and settled in Wolcott, about 1760. 

He was elected Deacon of the church in Wolcott, Jan. 26, 1774, 
which office he held twenty-nine years, being one of the reliable 
and faithful men of the parish. All of his descendants have long 
since left Wolcott. Some of them are in the " Black river " 
country, near Oswego, N. Y. He died Oct. 1, 1803, ae. 70. 

Children by first wife : 13 Sarah, b Nov. 22, 1756, m 
Josiah Atkins of Wolcott, 1777, and d Dec. 31, 1778, ae. 22. 
(Mr. Atkins married, 2d, Mary Gillet, Nov. 25, 1779, and had 



GENEALOGIES. 55 1 

children); 14 Mary, b Oct. 25, 1758, m Joel Hotchkiss ; 15 
Adah, b Sept. 5, 1762, m Rev. Alexander Gillet, Dec. 3, 1778, d 
May 10, 1839, ae - 77 > 16 Josiah, b April 2, 1765, d July 16, 1815 
ae. 50; 17 Enoch, b Sept. 28, 1769, d June 20, 1813, ae. 44 ; 18 
Joseph, b Nov. 26, 177 1, d Dec. 27, 1798, ae. 27 ; 19 Jacob, b 
July 3, 1774; 20 Lydia, b Nov. 19, 1777. By second wife: 21 
Samuel, b April 11, 1781 ; 22 Ruth, b Jan. 1, 1783; 23 Martha, 
b Nov. r5, 1784. 

II MEDAD. 

Rev. Medad Rogers, son of- Josiah and Martha Rogers of 
Branford, married Rachel Baldwin of Kent. He died Aug. 25, 
1824, ae. 74. 

Children: 24 Flora, m Ira Kellogg of New Fairfield. Conn.; 
25 Louisa, m Seeley Barnum of New Fairfield; 26 Amzi. 

12 TIMOTHY, M. D. 

Dr. Timothy Rogers, son of Josiah and Martha Rogers of 
Branford, married, removed to Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., 
was a practicing physician for many years, and had several chil- 
dren. 

27 MEDAD. 

Medad Rogers, son of Dr. Timothy, married Lydia Crosby, 
aunt to the author of this book. She was born May 23, 1789, 
and died Aug. 25, 1832, ae. 42. They resided in Hamilton, Mad- 
ison Co., N. Y. He died Dec. 18, 1866, ae. 82. 

Children: 28 Amanda, b May 23, 1808; 29 Asahel Timothy, 
b June 28, 1810; 30 Hinkley, b Feb. t. 1812, d Oct. 8, 1815 ; 
31 Harriet, b Sept. 22, 18 14, m John R. Baldwin of Branford, 
Conn; 32 Henry H, b Sept. 13. i8iq, d Sept. 17, 18 19 ; 33 Ly- 
man, b Sept. 14, 182 1. 



ROOT. 

Timothy Root, son of Mark Root of Farmington, was born 
April 19, 1830, and married, Oct., 1852, Mary Jane Goodwin of 
Wolcottville. She was born Aug. 27, 1835, died May 18, i860. 
He married, 2d, Lucelia Merrill of Wolcott, April 18, 186 1, and 
lives a little north of Woodtick. 

Children by first wife: 1 A?i?ia Elizabeth, b July 19, 1853, m 
Ransom B. Hall, Feb. 25, 1874; 2 Ellena Goodwin, b Oct. 3, 
1857, d March 22, 1858. By second wife : 3 Jane Luetta, b Feb. 
20, 1863, d March 13, 1873 j 4 Jtilia Ellena, b Aug. 29, 1864 ; 
5 Marguretta Burd, b Nov. 8, 1867. 

552 



ROSE. 



r DANIEL. 



Daniel Rose came from Branford to Wolcott, settled on 
"Pike's Hill," afterward "Rose Hill" where he died. 

Children: 2 Hannah, b 1773, m, 1st, Capt. Page of North 
Branford and had one son, Andrew S. Page, who raised a large 
a nd respectable family, and died 1864, ae. 66. She married, 2d, 
Swayne Moulthrop and had two sons : Major, the eldest, has an 
Art Gallery in New Haven ; and Lembert, who died in New 
Haven about 1864. 3 Sally, never married, died recently in 
Grand Isle, near Canada; 4 Bela ; 5 Daniel; 6 Chandler, lived 
and died in Middlebury, Vt, leaving a family; 7 Rensselaer, lived 
and died in Berlin, Conn., leaving three daughters; 8 Betsey, b 
1791, m Wm. Butler of Hartford, Conn., and died Oct. 30, 1867, 
leaving several children " well to do." 

4 BELA. 

Bela Rose, son of Daniel, married Mary Brockett, and lived 
and died in Wolcott. He lost both hands in a wool picking ma- 
chine in Plymouth Hollow. 

Children: 9 Charles : 10 Augustus, b May 28, 181 2 ; n Re- 
becca, m Asahel Thomas ; 1 2 Mary, m John Payne and lives in 
Straitsville, Conn.; 13 Jessie B., b Jan. 10, 1821; 14 Daniel, 

married; 15 Jane, in ■ Moses; 16 Henry, m Harriet Seeley ; 

r7 Bela, m Amanda Todd. 

IO AUGUSTUS. 

Augustus Rose, son of Bela and Mary (Brockett) Rose, mar- 
ried, 1st, Rachel, daughter of Moses Byington, 2d, Mrs. Charlotte 
Frisbie, 3d, Mary A. Comer, April 9, 1856, who was born Dec. 

44 



554 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

25, 1834. Children by first wife : 18 William Bela, b Feb. 19, 
1838; 19 Cornelia £., b July 22, 1842, m Sept. 1, 1862, Edwin 
L. Bolster of Waterbury and has a son, Elvin S., b July 17, 1863. 
By second wife : 20 Edwin, b Dec. 31, 1853. By third wife : 21 
Ella Jane, b Jan. 1857; 22 F.verette E., b Jan. 5, 1862, d June 
14, 1874. 

13 JESSE B. 

Jesse B. Rose, son of Bela and Mary (Brockett) Rose, married, 
1st, Perlina Hart of Bristol, 2d, May 7, 1867, Mrs. Harriet E. 
Griswold of Goshen. She was born Nov. 29, 1840. He learned 
his trade by six years apprenticeship in a Woolen Mill in Bristol, 
and settled in Wolcottville in 1850 as an overseer. He after- 
wards became partner in the Union Manufacturing Company, 
having a business employing $230,000 capital. 

Children: 23 Edwin C, b May 18, 1844; 2 4 Wallace A., b 
Dec. 16, 1848, d Feb. 16, 1850; 25 Willie A., b Aug. 22, 1852. 
His second wife has a son, 26 Frederick H. Griswold, b May 4, 
1862. 

23 EDWIN C. 

Edwin C. Rose, son of Jesse B. and Perlina (Hart) Rose, mar- 
ried Mattie E. Hamilton, Nov. 26, 1870. She was born in Cin- 
cinnati, Sept. 20, 1852. 

Child : 27 Edwin H., b April 19, 1872. 



SCARRITT. 

Jeremiah Scarritt was an important man in Wolcott, from 
1790 to 18 1 5, being engaged to considerable extent in buying and 
selling farms. His wife, Mary, united with the Congregational 
church, May 4, 1777, by letter, making it certain that they came 
into Wolcott before that time. He died March 21, 1825, aged 
91. His wife, Mary, died Jan. 26, 1827, aged 92. 

As near as I can ascertain some of their children were : 1 

Sarah, b 1779 m, 1st, Samuel Plumb, Jan. 17, 1797, 2< ^> 

Truesdell, and d 1873, ae - 94 j 2 David, b 1781, m Hannah 

and had a son David, who died April 25, 1870, aged 65 ; 3 Jere- 
miah, bapt. March 1, 1782. 

James Scarritt married Sylvia Plumb June 13, 187 1, and was 
probably brother to Jeremiah. 

555 



SEWAKD 



Amos Seward was born in Durham, Conn., and baptised 
March 27, 1726. He had two brothers and a sister; Salmon, 
bapt Jan. 21, 1721 or 2; Catharine, bapt. Dec. 31, 1727; Nathan, 
bapt. June 14, 1730, who removed to Cornwall, Conn., thence to 
Utica, N. Y. Amos Seward came to North Bran ford, where he 
married Ruth Rogers, sister to Deacon Josiah Rogers of Wolcott, 
and from that place he removed to Wolcott about 1760, and set- 
tled on a farm a mile southeast of Woodtick. He was one of 
the solid, respected men of the first Society, being appointed with 
Deacon Aaron Harrison for a number of years to lead the wor- 
ship of the congregation, before they had a settled pastor. While 
various titles were applied to other persons, he was invariably hon- 
ored with " Mr." apparently in a very respectful manner, so long 
as he lived. He died in Wolcott. His widow, Ruth, removed 
to New Hartford, near Utica, N. Y. 

Children : 2 Sarah, m Daniel Lane ; 3 Ruth, m Reuben Fris- 
bie; 4 Nathan, m Martha Gridley of Wolcott, June 3, 1779; 5 
Lois. 



SLATER. 

Andrew J. Slater, born Oct. 6, 1830, in Cairo, N. Y., mar- 
ried Lucy A. Robbins, daughter of Mrs. Edward Johnson of Wol- 
cott, May 4, 1856. His wife, Lucy A., was born Feb. 7, 1838, 
in Cleveland, N. Y. 

Children: 1 William Henry, b June 27, 1858; 2 Sarah £., b 
June 14, 1862; 3 Laura E., b April 26, 1866, d Sept. 10, 1868 ; 
4 Joseph W. C, b Aug. 25, 1869. 

556 



SMITH.* 

Jared Smith of Prospect, married Eunice Tyler of the same 
place, and settled in Wolcott. 

Children : i Isaac ; 2 Jedediah ; 3 Jeremiah ; 4 Orrin ; 5 
William • 6 Franklin; 7 PJiilo ; 8 Hiram; 9 A. Hector; 10 
Alma ; n Eunice ; 12 Lois ; 13 Emily. 

5 WILLIAM. 

William Smith, son of Jared and Eunice (Tyler) Smith, mar- 
ried Vina Plumb, Sept. 25, 1818. He died Aug. 21, 1822. 

Children: 14 Mary, b Aug. 11, 1819, m Ira Hough; 15 Har- 
riet. 1) Sept. 13, 182 1, m Rufus Norton, and died Aug. 20, 1844. 

9 ANSON HECTOR. 

A. Hector Smith, son of Jared and Eunice (Tyler) Smith, 
married Esther, daughter of Levi Atkins, Senr., and lives in the 
northeastern part of Wolcott. 

Children: 16 Harriet C, b Nov. 28, 1827; 17 Jenette A., b 

Aug 2, 1829, m, 1st, Charles Y. Hall, June 6, 1848, 2d, Robert 

Atkins. 
. g. 

* Ephraim Smith and Ephraim, Jr., were in Wolcott in 1799. They came 
from Derby. Jeremiah Smith married Betty Cleaveland, in Wolcott. in 
1778. There was a Joseph Smith, also, of some prominence. 

557 



1 



SOMERS. 

David Somers was born in Milford, Conn., Nov. 29, 1808. He 
married, Oct. 16, 1830, Almira, daughter of David Frisbie of Wol- 
cott, and lived in Woodtick. He died Sept. 15, i860. 

Children: 2 Dwight Leroy, b in Waterbury, May 28, 1832 ; 3 
Augusta A. £., b April 15, 1834, m Heman Miller, Sept. 26, 1853, 
resides in Waterbury; 4 Joseph Hill, b June 24, 1836 ; 5 Amelia 
Rebecca, b Sept. 2, 1840, m Alfred Carpenter Dec. 25, 1858, d 
April 26, 1859 ; 6 Christine Estelle, b June 5, 1844, m Andrew 
W. Goldsmith, Jan. 1, 1868, has children : Jennie Augusta, b 
Nov. 19, 1868, George Edwin, b June 6, 1870, d Aug. 8, 1870, 
Annie Amelia, b Aug. 12, 1872, d Nov. 1, 1873 > 7 Benjamin 
Levi, b April 15, 1847 ; 8 Charlie Edward E., b March 6, 1850 ; 
Willie Eldridge, b Jan. 17, 1854. 

2 DWIGHT LEROY. 

Dwight L. Somers, son of David and Almira (Frisbie) Somers, 
married Emogene Chatfield, Aug. 2, 1862. resides in Waterbury. 

Children: to Lillie, b Sept., 1868; n Robbie Dwight, b June, 
1870. 

4 JOSEPH HILL. 

Joseph H. Somers, son of David and Almira (Frisbie) Somers, 
married Frances D. Woolworth of Naugatuck, July 30, 186 1, re- 
sides a mile north of Wolcott Center. 

Children : 1 2 Lizzie Amelia, b Oct. c i 2, 1864 ;-it, David Chester, 
b July 22, 1866 ; 14 Josie H., b Jan. 3, 1868 ; 15 Eannie and 16 
Freddie, twins, b Aug. 2, 1871, Fannie d July 16, 1872, Freddie 
d Feb. 14, 1874; 17 Mira M., b Aug. 17, 1873. 

558 



SPERRY. 

Joseph N. Sperry, of Cheshire, came to Wolcott. and married 
Abigail, daughter of William Tuttle. who lived with her aunt, Mrs. 
Benham. in Wolcott. He took an active part in the Society and 
the Town, occupying various offices and acquiting himself honor- 
ably. He married for his second wife, Narcissa Kinney, a id 
for the third Bristol. He died, May 9. 187 1, ae. 70. 

Children : 1 Betsey Ann, b June 29, 1S27, m Heman W. Hall ; 
2 Samuel N., b Dec. 17, 1833 ; 3 Phebe L., b March 11. 1838. 

2 SAMUEL. 

Samuel N. Sperry, son of Joseph N. and Abigail (Tuttle) 
Sperry. married, 1st, Rosanna Thorp of Southington, 2d, Sarah E. 
Norton, Feb., 1872. 

Children: 4 Jane Z., b Aug, 31, 1859, d Dec. 10, 1865; 5 
Charles A., b Jan. 3, 1866. 

559 



STEVENS. 



I NEHEMIAH. 



Nehemiah Stevens, son of Elijah, was born in Guilford, Sept. 
n, 1799. 
Child : 2 John M, b Aug. 8, 1829. 

2 JOHN M. 

John M. Stevens, son of Nehemiah Stevens, was born in Mid- 
dletown, Conn., and married Oct. 11, 1852, Antoinette E. Goff, 
born in Middletown, June 7, 1835. He resides on the Seth 
Wiard farm, northeastern part of Wolcott. 

Children : 3 Justus JV., b Nov. 17, 1857 ; 4 John J, b Sept. 
17, 1859; 5 Alfred M, b Aug, 18, 1872. 

560 



SUTLIFF. 

I JOSEPH, SENR. 

Joseph Sutliff was in Wolcott as early as 1765, his house be- 
ing probably at the foot of Chestnut Hill, on the old road going 
directly up the hill. He was a tailor, one leg being defective, so 
that he walked with a cane or crutch. His wife died July io, 
1780. He afterwards married Catharine, sister to Amos Seward. 
She died Nov. n, 1791. He died Nov. n, 1801. 

Children by first wife: 2 Joseph; 3 Nathaniel ; 4 Anne, m 
Daniel Dean, May 16, 1776 ; 5 m Scott. 

2 JOSEPH, JR.* 

Joseph Sutliff, son of Joseph, the first in Wolcott, married, 
1 77 1, Zerviah Webster, sister to Lydia, the wife of Wait Hotch- 
kiss. He lived on the farm afterwards owned by Ephraim Hall, 
a little east of Chestnut Hill. 

Children: 6 Zerviah, b Jan. 29, 1772, m Gideon Curtiss ; 7 
/oseph, b Dec. 27, 1773, the second child baptized in Wolcott; 
8 Michael, b Feb. 5, 1776; 9 Lydia, b Feb. r, 1778; 10 Abia- 
thar, b May 7, 1780. removed West and was killed by the fall of 
a tree; n Nathan, b April 4, 1782. 

3 NATHANIEL, f 

Nathaniel Sutliff, son of Joseph, Senr., had 

Children: 12 John; 13 Nathaniel; 14 Titus; 15 Hannah; 
16 Anne, all bapt. April 19, 1774; 17 Ruth, bapt June 21, 1778; 
18 Elizabeth, bapt Dec. 14, 1782. 



* See Waterbury Town Records. 
See CK irch Recor ds. 

45 



562 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

12 JOHN. 

John Sutliff, son of Nathaniel, married Munson. 

Children: ig Anson, b 1798, went to Meriden in 1817, married 
Miss Cumstock of Deep River, Conn., and removed to Minnesota, 
in 1857. where he died, ae. 59. 20 Statira, b 1800, m Jerry 
Williams of Waterbury, settled in Meriden in 1835, d in 1873, ae. 
73 ; 21 John, b 1802, went to Meriden in 1819, married, 1st, 
Mary Ann Dayton of North Haven, 2d, Rebecca Miles of 
Cheshire; 22 Lucius, b 1806, m Rachel Foot, lives in Southing- 
ton ; 23 Lucas, b 1808, m Maria Melissa Upson of Wolcott, who 
died in 187 1, in Southington, ae. 66 years. 

14 TITUS. 

Titus Sutliff, son of Nathaniel, married Roxanna (or Sally) 
Selcriggs. 

Children : 24 Garry ; 25 Eliza ; 26 Leicester; 27 Nancy ; 28 
Fanny; 29 Delevan. 



THOMAS. 

James Thomas came from Scotland, married Martha Barnes, 
and settled near James Alcox on Spindle Hill. 

Children: i John; 2 Josiah ; 3 Martha, m Luther Andrews, 
had children, Chester, Luther, Randall, Harriet, Alma; 4 Phebe, 
m Truman Prince ; 5 Seth ; 6 Sibyl* m John Newton and lived in 
Naugatuck ; 7 James, d young. 

I JOHN. 

Johnt Thomas, son of James and Martha (Barnes) Thomas, 
married Jemima Tomlinson. 

Children : 8 James : 9 Afaria : 10 Maria : 1 1 Jenette. ■ 

2 JOSIAH. 

Josiah Thomas, son of James and Martha (Barnes) Thomas, 
married Mary Bowen of Bristol. 

Children: 12 .Vann: m Apollos Camp; 13 Olinda, m Samuel 
Sanford ; 1 4 J far}', m Eli Norton ; 1 5 Edward Woodward, b 
Dec. 25, 181 7 ; 16 Emetine, b May 5, 1819. 

5 SETH. 

Seth Thomas, son of James and Martha (Barnes) Thomas, 
married, 1st, Philinda Tuttle, 2d. Laura A. Andrews. (See Biog., 
page 352). 

Children by first wife : 17 Philinda. By second wife: 18 Seth; 
19 Martha ; 20 Amanda ; 21 Edward; 22 Elizabeth; 23 Aaron. 

15 EDWARD WOODWARD. 

Edward W. Thomas, son of Josiah and Mary (Bowen) Thomas, 
married Sarah J. Warner of Plymouth, Feb. 15, 1854. 

Children : 24 Edward J., b Oct. 20, 1855 ; 25 Lalah, b Jul)- 3, 
1857, d 1863 ; 26 Hattie, d 1863 ; 27 Alice E., b July 20, 1863 ; 
28 Fanny, b March 6, 1866; 29 Clara, b Nov. 16, 1849; 3° 
Jennie, b July 10, 1872. 



TODD. 

I CHRISTOPHER. 

Christopher Todd was a son of William Todd of Pontefract, 
Yorkshire, England. He married Grace, daughter of Michael 
Middlebrook of Hold Mills, and came to this country as one of 
the original settlers of Davenport's New Haven Colony, in 1637. 
He owned the large lot on Elm street, between Church and 
Orange streets, subsequently known as the Blue Meeting-house 
Lot, where St. Thomas church now stands, and resided on it. 
The place remained in the family for a hundred years. He was 
a farmer, miller, and baker, having bought a mill which the town 
had erected. 

Children: 2 John; 3 Samuel, b in 1645; 4 Mercy ; 5 Grace; 
6 Michael ; 7 Nancy. 

3 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Todd, son of Christopher and Grace Todd, married 
Mary, daughter of William Bradley, Nov. 26, 1668. He suc- 
ceeded his father in the mill, and died in 17 14. 

Children: 8 Samuel, b July 1, 1672; 9 Joseph; 10 Mary ; n 
Sarah; 12 Joseph; 13 Hannah ; 14 Jonah; 15 Daniel; 16 Abi- 
gail ; 17 Mercy ; 18 James. 

8 SAMUEL, JR. 

Samuel Todd, son of Samuel and Mary (Bradley) Todd, mar- 
ried, 1st, Susannah Tuttle, Sept., 1698, 2d, widow Esther Maltby. 
He was a farmer in North Haven, and a Deacon, and died Dec, 
1741. 

Children: 19 Lydia, m Rev. Benjamin Doolittle of Northfield, 
Mass., and had eleven children; 20 Caleb ; 21 Stephen, settled 
in Northford and had nine children; 22 Mehitable ; 23 Christo- 

564 



GENEALOGIES. _ 565 

pher, m and had nine children ; 24 Samuel, was the first pastor 
in the North Parish. Waterbury, Conn., and had nine children ; 

25 Susannah, m Rev. Caleb Humaston and had twelve children ; 

26 Elizabeth, m Dea. Samuel Sackett. 

20 CALEB. 

Caleb Todd, son of Samuel and Susannah (Tuttle) Todd, was 
born Feb. 2, 1700, and married Mary, daughter of Samuel Ives. 
Dec. 15, 1725, and settled in North Haven. He died July 5, 

J737- 

Children: 27 Phebe, m David Blakeslee ; 28 Hezekiah, b May 
2, 1728; 29 Perthia, in Matthew Gilbert. 

28 HEZEKIAH. 

Hezekiah Todd, of North Haven, married Lydia, daughter of 
Ebenezer Frost, Jan. 17, 1753, and settled in Cheshire, a little 
south of Judd's Hill in Wolcott. 

Children : 30 Caleb ; 31 Hezekiah, b Nov. 5, 1755 ; 32 Bethuel; 
33 Lydia, m Joel Sackett of North Haven; 34 AToses ; 35 Oliver; 
36 Joel; 37 Phebe, m Parker Bates, d in Southington. 

^ 30 CALEB. 

Caleb Todd, son of Hezekiah and Lydia (Frost) Todd, mar- 
ried and had children. 

Children: 38 Lyman ; 39 Farrington ; 40 Allen; 41 Luther. 

31 hezekiah. 

Hezekiah Todd, son of Hezekiah and Lydia (Frost) Todd, 
married Mercy, daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Blakeslee) Holt, 
Jan., 1783. He settled in Cheshire, adjoining Wolcott, and 
died there, May 18, 1836, ae. 81. His farm is now occupied by 
Wm. Todd. Mercy, his wife, died Sept. 12, 18 19. 

Children : 42 Hannah, b April 13, 1784, m Freeman Upson ; 
43 Jerry, b Dec. 3, 1785; 44 Lydia, b Dec. 7, 1789, m Joseph 
Holt of Waterbury, and died in Wisconsin ; 45 Streat, b Aug. 27, 
1792; 46 Mercy Melinda, b June n, 1794, never married, d Jan. 
22, 1822; 47 Lucina, b March 7, 1796, m Samuel J. Holmes of 
Waterbury, May 2, 1822, and had children: Israel, b Aug. 10, 
1823; Samuel, b Nov. 30, 1824; William B., b Dec. 16, 1826, d 



566 HI-STORY OF WOLCOTT. 

May 2, 1828 ; Sarah, b July 6, 1829. m J. W. Hough of Homer, 
N. Y. ; William B., b July 25. 1831 ; Hannah Adelia. b Nov. 8, 
1834, d May 18, 1835; 4 8 P°Uy Anf '< b May 12. 1800, m Timo- 
thy Porter of Waterbury, Dec.;, 1824. 

32 BETHUEL. 

Bet-hurl Todd, son of Hezekiah and Lydia (Frost) Todd, mar- 
ried Esther Ives of North Haven, and settled in Waterbury. He 
married, 2d, widow Sarah Welton. 

Children by first wife : 49 Bethia, m Reuben Bartholomew and 
removed to Chautauqua Co., New York; 50 Lovisa, m Levi Upson 
of Southington ; 51 Russell m Sarah Clark; 52 Roxy, m Daniel 
Scott ; 53 Lererelt, moved into New York ; 54 Phebc. m Martin 
Upson of Wolcott ; 55 Sala, m Salome Upson and moved to 
Ohio; 56 Miles, m Laura Hotchkiss and resides in Waterbury. 
By second wife : 57 Esther and 58 Sarah. 

34 MOSES. 

Moses Todd, son of Hezekiah and Lydia (Frost) Todd, mar- 
ried Delight, daughter of Timothy Upson, and moved to Ohio. 

Children : 59 Sarah, m Abijah Pardee of East Haven and 
moved to Ohio ; 60 Woodward; 61 Charlotte; 62 Isaac and 63 
Kneeland, twins. 

35 OLIVER. 

Oliver Todd, son of Hezekiah and Lydia (Frost) Todd, mar- 
ried Betsey Smith and lived and died in North Haven. 

Children: 64 Zerah ; 65 Deborah; 66 Ro swell ; 67 Maria ; 
68 Betsey; 69 Bede ; 70 Emily ,'71 Louisa. 

36 JOEL. 

Joel Todd, son of Hezekiah and Lydia (Frost) Todd, married 
Mabel Mansfield in North Haven. 

Children: 72 Dennis; 73 Orrin ; 74 George ; 75 Louisa; 76 

Caleb. 

43 jerry. 

Jerry Todd, son of Hezekiah and Mercy (Holt) Todd, mar- 
ried Rebecca Tuttle of East Haven, in 1806. 

Children: 77 Daniel b July 31, 1807; 78 Amy, b April 10, 



GENEALOGIES. 567 

1809, m Sherman B. Chipman of Waterbury, d Nov., 1831 ; 79 
Hezekiah, b Aug. 9, 1821. 

45 STREAT. 

Streat Todd, son of Hezekiah and Mercy (Holt) Todd, mar- 
ried Ruth W. Welton, Feb. 16, 1815, d Oct. 25, i860. 

Children : 80 Ransom S., b Jan. 18, 18 16 ; 81 Jenelte, b Aug. 

17, 1817, m Harry Thomas, d May 9, 1836; 82 Robert C, b 
April 21, 1820; 83 Edwin, b Ian. 30, 1823; 84 James, b Oct. 

18, 1825; 85 William S. and 86 Willis H, twins, b Jan. 19, 
1828, William S., d Dec. 12, [833, and Willis H., d Nov. 9, 187 1 ; 
87 Franklin, b Nov. 24, 1832, m Adaline Thomas, and settled in 
Ohio; 88 Eveline, b July 29, 1834, m Nelson Morris of Water- 
bury, and has daughter, Nellie J., b April 19, i860 ; 89 Jane, b 
Aug 9, 1836; 90 William S. , b May 20, 1838, m Emogene Mi- 
nor, Nov. 28, 1862, no children. 

51 RUSSELL. 

Russell Todd, son of Bethuel and Esther (Ives) Todd, mar- 
ried, 1 st, Sarah Clark, 2d, . 

Children: 91 Bennet, b about 1820, m widow Ives of Cheshire; 

92 Rosaline, m Scott. 

56 miles. 

Miles Todd, son of Bethuel and Esther (Ives) Todd, married 
Laura Hotchkiss, and settled in Waterbury. 

Children : 93 Nelson, m Mary Brooks ; 94 Sarah, m John 
Clark. 

77 DANIEL. 

Daniel Todd, son of Jerry and Rebecca (Tuttle) Todd, mar- 
ried Nancy Mansfield of Oxford, Conn., Jan. 3, 1830, and died 
Dec. 29, 187 1. 

Children: 95 Emily, b Oct. 21, 183 1, d 1841; 96 Henry, b 
June 27, 1833, d May 20. 1837; 97 George, b Dec. 15, 1835; 
98 Henry, b Feb. 14, 1837 ; 99 Amy, b Jan. 16, 1842, m George 
Sills of Wolcott; 100 Emily, b March 17, 1843, d Jan. 14, 1853. 

79 hezekiah. 

Hezekiah Todd, son of Jerry and Rebecca (Tuttle) Todd, 
married Lucy Hotchkiss of Wolcott and moved to New Jersey. 



568 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Children: 101 Leicester; 102 Sherman; 103 Chester Jerry ; 
104 Eunice Rebecca : 105 Eugene : 106 Lucy. 

80 ransom s. 

Ransom S. Todd, son of Streat and Ruth (Welton) Todd, mar- 
ried Cornelia E. Sperry, Oct. 15, 1849, d June 24, 1857. 

Children: 107 Edson R., and 108 Edgar A., twins, b Aug. 21, 
1850, Edgar A. d in infancy. 

82 ROBERT c. . 

Robert C. Todd, son of Streat and Ruth (Welton) Todd mar- 
ried Louisa Barnes of Cheshire, April 2, 1843, an d resides in 
Wolcott. 

Children : 109 Ellen E., b April 2, 1844, d June n, 1865; 
no John R. S., b March 7, 1846 ; in Emily J, b Feb. 26, 1848, 
d Oct. 14, 1856; 112 James A., b Oct. 29, 185 1 ; 113 Edwin A., 
b Jan. 21, 1854. 

83 EDWIN. 

Edwin Todd, son of Streat and Ruth (Welton) Todd, married, 
1st, Salina Hall, Oct. 27, 1847. She died June 27, 1865. He 
married, 2d, Lucinda C. Barnes, Sept. 13, 1865. He died Oct. 
30, 1868. 

Children: 114 William E., b Aug. 29, 1848; 115 Andrew, 1> 
Jan. 6, 185 1, d in infancy. 

84 JAMES. 

James Todd, son of Streat and Ruth (Welton) Todd, married 
Esther Hall, May 29, 1853, and lives in Cheshire. 

Children: 116 Liim E.. b May 5, 1856; 117 Hattie Z., b 
Sept, 17, 1858; 118 James L, b July 4. 1861, d Sept. 6. 1862; 119 
Lucy P., b May 14, 1864, d Jan. 8, 1873 ; 120 Edna J, b June 
10, 1867. 

97 GEORGE. 

George Todd, son of Daniel and Nancy (Mansfield) Todd, 
married Ann L. Lynch, July 4. 1858. 

Children: 12T Ellen Elisabeth, b Aug. 27, 1859. Has in his 
care Ann Jane (Palmer^ Todd. 



GENEALOGIES. 569 

98 HENRY. 

Henry Todd, son of Daniel and Nancy (Mansfield) Todd, mar- 
ried Emma Slade, Feb. 9, 1857. 

Children: 122 Arthur^ Jan. 17, 1858; 123 Bertha, b Aug. 4, 
1859. 

114 WILLIAM E. 

William E. Todd, son of Edwin and Salina (Hall) Todd, mar- 
ried Emeline Barnes. 

Children: 124 Edwin S., b March 25, 1869 ; 125 Eva L., b 
July ,30, 1870. 
46 



TUTTLE.* 

William Tuttle, Elizabeth his wife, and three children, John, 
Ann, and Thomas, sailed from London in the ship " Planter," in 
April, 1625. They landed in Boston the same year, and removed 
to New Haven in 1639. He had twelve children, from whom 
have descended a numerous and respectable race. It is said that 
this William had a brother John, who settled on Long Island, the 
ancestor of the Long Island " Tuthills." 

Children: 1 John, b 1631, m Catharine Lane, lived in New 
Haven; 2 Ann, b 1633; 3 Thomas, b 1635, m Hannah Powell, 
lived in New Haven; 4 Jonathan, b 1637. m Rebecca Bell, re- 
moved to North Haven in 1670; 5 David, b 1639, d. leaving no 
children; 6 Joseph, b 1640, m Hannah Munson, settled in East 
Haven; 7 Sarah, b 1642, m John Slauson ; 8 Elizabeth, b 1645, 
m Richard Edwards, and was the mother of Rev. Timothy Ed- 
wards, and grandmother of Jonathan Edwards. D. D., the cele- 
brated theologian ; 9 Simon, b 1647, m Abigail Beach; 10 Ben- 
jamin, b 1648. never married; n Mercy, b 1650; 12 Nathaniel, 
b Feb. 24, 1652, m Sarah Howe. 

9 SIMON. 

Simon Tuttle, son of William and Elizabeth Tuttle, married 
Miss Abigail, daughter of John Beach, and was among the first 
subscribers to the compact for the settlement of New Haven vil- 
lage (now Wallingford), in 1669-70, and settled there near his 
father Beach's land, perhaps on a portion of it. His house lot 
was No 13, east side Main street, with 8 acres of out land. He 
died April 16, 17 19, ae. 72 years. Mrs. Abigail died Aug., 1722. 



* A full history of the Tuttle family is to be published soon by George 
F. Tuttle, of New York 



GENEALOGIES. 571 

Children : 13 Daniel, b Nov. 11, 1680, m Ruth Howe, Oct. 18, 
1711; 14 Timothy, b 1681; 15 Thankful; 16 Rebecca, h April 
30, 1698 ; 17 Jonathan, b Sept. 18, 1701; 18 Isaiah, b July 10, 
1704; 19 Elizabeth, b Nov. 8, 1705; 20 Deborah, b Jan. 1, 
1709; 21 David, b April 25, 1713. 

14 TIMOTHY. 

Dea. Timothy Tuttle, son of Simon and Abigail (Beach) Tut- 
tle, married Thankful Doolittle, Nov. 2, 1706. She' died Nov. 
23, 1728. . He married, 2d, Mary Howe of New Haven, June 9, 
1729, and she died Jan. 22, 1747-8. He married, 3d, Sarah Hum- 
iston, June 28, 1749. He died at Cheshire, April 15, 1756, aged 
76. He built the first frame house in Cheshire, in which house 
four generations of his descendants were born and lived. 

Children: 22 Rachel, b April 10, 1706, m Nathan Tyler; 23 
Ebenezer, b May 18, 1708, d Dec. 3, 1736, ae. 28; 24 Eph7-aim, 
b April 10, 1710; 25 Mary, b Oct. 3, 1712, m Miles Hull of 
Derby. Dec. 4, 1729; 26 Gershom, b Aug. 11, 1714, settled in 
Bristol, Conn., d ae. 74; 27 Timothy, b Dec. 4, 17 16, m Han- 
nah Wadhams of Goshen, Conn. ; 28 Abigail, b April 11, 1719, m 
John Gaylord of Cheshire ; 29 Simon, b June 12, 17 21, settled in 
Bristol, Conn., 30 Moses, b Dec. 18, 1723, settled in Cheshire; 
31 Thankful b Nov. 15, 1826, d Dec. 9, 1747; 32 Mehitable, b 
Nov. 15, 1730, m Andrew Clark; 33 Ichabod, b July 2, 1732, d 
Jan. 9, 1747-8. 

24 EPHRAIM. 

Ephraim Tuttle, son of Deacon Timothy and Thankful Tut- 
tle, married Esther Hotchkiss, June 11, 1731. She died May, 
1732, of small pox. He uiariied, 2 J, Hannah Payne, Jan. 16, 
1734. She died May 22, 1756, ae. 42. He married, 3d, Thank- 
ful Preston, Dec. 16, 1761. He died in Cheshire, Feb. 2, 1775, 
ae. 64. 

Children: 34 Edmund, M. D., b Nov. 26, 1733-4, d May 5, 
1763, ae. 30; 35 Esther, b Feb. 10, 1736; 36 Ebenezer, b Oct. 
15, 1737 > 37 Ephraim, b March 20, 1739 > 3& Noah, b June 30, 
1741, d July 23, 1742 ; 39 Timothy, b July 1, 1743, d young ; 40 
Noah, b Dec. rS, 1744, d June 30, 1828, at Camden, N. Y., ae. 
84; 41 Timothy, b May 17, 1745, went to Ohio; 42 Hannah, b 



572 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Jan. 4, 1746-7 ; 43 Lucius, b Dec. 4, 1749, d in Wolcott, June 
27, 1846, ae. 97; 44 Thankful, b March 13, 1752. By second 
marriage : 45 Ruth, b Jan. 3, 176 1-2 ; 46 Edmund, b Dec. 30, 
1764, d Jan. 1, 1856, ae. 90. 

43 LUCIUS. 

Captain Lucius Tuttle, son of Ephraim and Hannah (Payne) 
Tuttle., married Hannah, daughter of Andrew and Lowly Hull of 
Cheshire. He was a prominent man in Cheshire, for many years, 
and during the Revolution was under General Washington's com- 
mand at Boston and Long Island, and himself had command of 
a company of his townsmen at the battle which resulted in the 
surrender of General Burgoyne and his army, at Saratoga, N. Y., 
in 1777. His wife died Aug. 11, 1800, ae. 46. He died at the 
house of his son Lucius, in Wolcott, June 27, 1846, ae. 97. 

Children : 47 Andrew Hull, b Aug. 28, 1775, married and 
moved to South Carolina, where he died; 48 Lucius, b Aug. 7, 
1776; 49 Betsey Ann, b April 8, 1778, m Samuel Benham of 
Cheshire. They settled in Wolcott, and died there, leaving no 
children ; a pair of silk slippers is preserved, and was exhibited 
at the late Centenary meeting, which Miss Betsey Ann wore at a 
Commencement Ball, at Yale College, when she was 15 or 16 
years old, i. e., in 1793 or 4. She died April 8, 1864, ae. 86; 50 
Marcus, b March 24, 1780 ; 51 Anson, b Dec. 22, 1781, had a 
family, and died at New Lisbon, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1863, ae. 82 ; 52 
William B., b Feb. n, 1784, m, had a family, d Jan. 6, 1822, ae. 
38; 53 Gaius, b July 5, 1786, m Bede Gaylord, d March 16, 
1855, ae 68; 54 Hannah, b March 24, 1787, d June, 1846, ae. 
59 ! 55 Esther, b Dec. 30, 1792, m Levi Doolittle of Cheshire, d 
March 20, 1855, ae. 62. 

48 LUCIUS, JR. 

Lucius Tuttle, son of Capt. Lucius Tuttle and Hannah (Hull) 
Tuttle, came to Wolcott in the year 1800, and engaged in busi- 
ness with his brother-in-law,. Samuel Benham, as a merchant. He 
married Rebecca, daughter of Mark Harrison, Esq., of Wolcott, 
Dec. 19, 1802. He died July 7, 1865, ae. 89. His wife, Rebec- 
ca, died Aug. 10, 1870, ae. 86. He was probably the most en 
terprising and energetic business man of whom Wolcott can 



GENEALOGIES. 573 

boast. Soon after coming to Wolcott in 1800, he brought in the 
first wagon ever seen there, for the purpose of earning away and 
bringing in merchandise, and for thirty years that wagon and 
others were kept on the road, much of the time, night and day. 
This made a better market than any other place within twenty 
miles, north or west, and hence all things flowed into it. " All 
sheep and oxen," and the forbidden swine ; and all butter and 
grains, and gold well refined, as well as some " shin plasters." 
This made the town a thriving, prosperous one, — enterprising 
and energetic, and without a revival of this spirit the town will 
soon repose with " Rip Van Winkle." 

Children: 56 Mark, b Oct. 21, 1803; 57 Lucius, b Sept. 17, 
1805; 58 Samuel Benham, b Dec. 21, 1807; 59 Rollin, b May 
28, r8io; 60 Rebecca M, b May 31, 1812, m Orrin Byington of 
Wolcott, lived in Wisconsin, and had sons, Lucius, Charles E., 
killed at Bentonville. N. C, in the last battle of the late war ; 61 
Adeline, b Dec. 19, 1814, m Russell Upson of Wolcott, now of 
New Haven; 62 Edward II, b July 28, 18 19; 63 Sarah M., b 
Feb. 10, 1820, m Elihu Moulthrop ; 64 William P., b March 18, 
1824. d Jan. 13, 1825; 65 William P., b Sept. 11, 1826, d Aug. 
10, 1850, at Cleveland, Ohio, ae. 23, 

56 MARK. 

Mark Tuttle, son of Lucius and Rebecca (Harrison) Tuttle, 
married Martha, daughter of Selah Upson, April 12, 1827, and 
resides half a mile southeast of Wolcott Center, on the Southing- 
ton road. 

Children : 66 Samuel, b Aug. 20, 1828, d July 7, 1830 ; 67 
Samuel Mark, b March 29, 1832; 68 Martha Ann, b Feb. 17, 
1839, m j ist ' Lyman B. Bronson, Jan. 1, 1859, 2d, Ira H. Hough, 
June 1, 1868; 69 Ai-delia Maria, b May 7, 1843, m Leroy Upson, 
Nov. 26, 1862. 

57 LUCIUS, 3D. 

Lucius Tuttle, son of Lucius and Rebecca (Harrison) Tuttle, 
married Laura A. Bement. He died April 13, 1858, ae. 52. 
Children: 70 Eugenia ; 71 Lucius. 

58 SAMUEL BENHAM. 

Samuel B. Tuttle, son of Lucius and Rebecca (Harrison) 



574 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Tuttle, married, ist, Sabrina Ives of Bristol, 2d, Lucretia Carlisle 
of Goshen. 

Child : 72 Carrie. 

59 ROLLIN. 

Rollin Tuttle, son of Lucius and Rebecca (Harrison) Tuttle, 
married Emeline Higgins of Wolcott, lives in Kenosha, Wis. 
Children: 73 Wallace M. ; 7 4 Margaret ; 75 William. 

62 EDWARD H. 

Edward H. Tuttle, son of Lucius and Rebecca (Harrison) 
Tuttle, married Louisa Bement of Wolcott, and resides in New 
Haven. 

Children: 76 William; 77 Edward, d young; 78 Eddie; 79 
Louis. 

67 SAMUEL MARK. 

Samuel M. Tuttle, son of Mark and Martha (Upson) Tuttle 
married Susan E., daughter of Henry Walker of Saybrook, May 
ist, 1856. She was born Aug. 7. 1835. 

Child : 80 Charles Samuel, b April 28, i860. 



TWITCHELL. 

Isaac Twitchell, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Thompson) 
Twitchell of Oxford, Conn., married Deborah Alcox of Wolcott, 
about t 767-8. and settled half a mile northwest of the '" Mill 
Place," on a farm, afterwards owned by Moses Beach, and now 
known as the Beach place. He died Feb. 10, 1776, ae. 35. 
Deborah, his wife, m Wait Hotchkiss, and died fan. 18, 1831, ae. 
89. 

Children : 1 Joseph, b July 15, 1769; 2 Mary, m John Norton 
of Wolcott ; 3 Deborah, bapt Sept. 17, 1775, m Ebenezer Frisbie, 
and removed to Ohio. 

I JOSEPH. 

Joseph Twitchell, son of Isaac and Deborah (Alcox) Twitch- 
ell, married Electa, daughter of Simeon Hopkins of Wolcott, 
April 16, 1793. She died Jan. 13, [803. He married, 2d, 
Phebe. daughter of Dea. Atkins of Wolcott, Feb. 19. 1804. She 
died Dec. 5, 1823. He died in Wolcott, March 14, 1824. 

Children : 4 Isaac, b Jan. 9, 1795, d March 31, 1799 > 5 Poll}\ 
b Dec. 23, 1797, m, 1st, Orrin Hollinbeck, 2d, John Barnes, re- 
sides in Cheshire, Conn., had children, Orrin and Roxanna ; 6 
Lois Electa, h Jan. 27, 1800, m, 1st, Amos Beach, 1823. 2d, Friend 
Barnard, 1827; 7 Isaac Hopkins, b Jan. 10. 1803, d March 28, 
1838, ae. 35, not married. By second wife: 8 Joseph Atkins, b 
Dec. 18, 1804; 9 Stoddard Whitman, b Dec. 27, 1806; ic Ed 
ward, b Sept. 5, 1810; 11 William Henry, b Jan. 11, 1813; 12 
Dwight, 1) Jan. 24. r8i6; 14 Hobart Amos, b at Wolcott, Aug 
1820. 

8 JOSEPH ATKINS. 

Joseph A. Twitchell, son of Joseph and Phebe (Atkins) 



576 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Twitchell, married Elizabeth Scales, and removed to City Point, 
Miss. 

Children: 14 Mary ; 15 Emetine; 16 Rosamond; 17 Pleasant 
William; 18 Joseph / 19 Clark. 

9 STODDARD WHITMAN. 

Stoddard W. Twitchell, son of Joseph and Phebe (Atkins) 
Twitchell, married Dorcas Matthewson, Oct. 31, 1833, resides at 
Hamburg, Mich. No children. 

10 EDWARD. 

Dea. Edward Twitchell, son of Joseph and Phebe (Atkins) 
Twitchell, married. 1st, Selina D. Carter, Sept. 3, 1835 ; 2d, Jane 
Walkley, May 16, 1850. He entered upon his life career in 
Southington, when about sixteen years of age, and, as remarked 
by Rev. E. C. Jones in the funeral discourse, he literally "Worked 
his way up to prominence, as a man of business, property, and 
high standing in society." In the same discourse, Mr. Jones said 
with emphasis : " How can we do without Deacon Twitchell." 
Also : " He was a man of remarkable industry," " a modest 
man," " a conscientious man," " a man of genuine practical 
piety." He died April 16, 1863. 

Children: 20 Joseph Hopkins, b May 27, 1838; 21 Edward 
William, b Nov. §, 1839; 22 Upson Carter, b Oct. 10, 1841, d 
Jan. 24, 1843; 2 3 Sarah Jane, b June 28, 1844, m Rev. Edmund 
A. Ware of Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 10, 1869, and has children, Katha- 
rine and Edward Twitchell; 24 Mary Delight b Oct. 8, 185 1 ; 
25 Sarah Ann Elton, an adopted daughter, b Nov. 20, 1835, d 
Sept. 29, 1849; 26 Olive Newell, b Aug. 18, 1854; 27 Timothy 
Dwight, b Sept. 6, 1856, d Sept. 18, 1858; 28 Julia Emetine, b 
Dec. 25, 1859: 29 Anna Walkley, b Oct. 8, 1862, d June 27, 
1863. 

II WILLIAM HENRY. 

William H. Twitchell, son of Joseph and Phebe (Atkins) 
Twitchell, married Margaret A. Hull, and resides in West Wind- 
sor, Mich. 

Children: 30 Edward B '. ; 31 Samantha. 



GENEALOGIES. 577 

3 HOBART AMOS. 

Hobart A. Twitchell, son of Joseph and Phebe (Atkins) 
Twitchell, married Hannah M. Wilner of Genesee, N. Y., Dec. 
29, 1844, and resides in Hamburg, Mich. 

Children: 32 Alsena Phebe, b June 2, 1846; ^ Lois Selina, 
b Sept. 25, 1847; 34 Mortimer Hobart, b Oct. 9, 1849 > 35 Gracia 
Maria, b Sept. 14, 185 1. 

20 JOSEPH HOPKINS. 

Rev. Joseph H. Twitchell, son of Edward and Selina D. (Car- 
ter) Twitchell, married Julia H. Cushman, of Orange, N. J., Nov. 
1, 1865. He graduated at Yale College and Yale Divinity School, 
was a working Chaplain in the Army in the late war, and is now 
the Pastor of the Asylum street Congregational church, Hartford. 

2 1 EDWARD WILLIAM. 

Edward W. Twitchell, son of Edward and Selina D. (Carter) 
Twitchell, married Sarah L. Harrison of Southington, and is a 
successful business man in Plantsville. 

Child : 46 Alice Cary Moore. 

47 



UPSON. 



I THOMAS. 



Thomas Upson was early in Hartford. He was one of those, 
not proprietors, enumerated in 1638, who had a privilege of get- 
ting wood and keeping cows on the common. He was an origi- 
nal proprietor and settler of Farmington, and married Elizabeth 
Fuller in 1646. He died July 19, 1655, and his widow married 
Edmund Scott. 

Children: 2 Thomas, removed to Saybrook and died there, 
having no children; 3 Stephen; 4 Mary; 5 Hannah; 6 Eliza- 
beth, d July 20, 1655. 

3 STEPHEN. 

Stephen Upson, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Fuller) Upson, 
married, Dec. 29, 1682, Mary, daughter of John Lee, Senr., of 
Farmington, and died in 1735, a S eo ^ 85. His wife died Feb. 15, 
17 15 or 16. He removed to Waterbury before his marriage and 
became proprietor, Dec. 29, 1679, to the amount of fifty pounds. 
He signed the ^60 agreement with Mr. Peck and was one of the 
committee to settle bounds with Woodbury in April, 1702. He 
was Surveyor, School Committee, Grand Juror, often Townsman, 
and three times Deputy to the General Court, in May, 17 10, Oct., 
17 1 2, Oct., 1729. He was Sergeant in 17 15, and in 1729 he had 
a seat with the veterans in the new meeting house. 

Children: 7 Mary, b Nov. 5, 1683, m Richard Welton, son of 
John; 8 Stephen, b Sept. 30, 1686; 9 Elizabeth, b Feb. 14, 1689 
or 90, m Thomas Bronson; 10 Thomas, b March 1, 1692 or 3; 
11 Hannah, b about March 16, 1695, m, 1st, Thomas Richards, 
2d, John Bronson, and was living a widow in 1751 ; 12 TaMlha, 

* See History of Waterbury. 



GENEALOGIES. 579 

b March n, 1698, m John Scovill, 2d; 13 John, b Dec. 13, 
1702; 14 Thankful, b March 14, 1706 or 7, m James Blakeslee. 

10 THOMAS. 

Thomas Upson, son of Stephen and Mary (Lee) Upson, mar- 
ried Rachel, daughter of Dea. Thomas Judd, and "lived on Cole 
Street, near Hast Main/' Waterbury. He sold this home and re- 
moved, in 1732 or 3, into Farmington, afterwards Southington,, 
and now the southeastern corner of Wolcott, where he lived and 
died, respected and esteemed, leaving a numerous family, who 
have done great honor to his name. His wife, Rachel, died Jul) 
J 3> I 75° 5 aged 56. He died Sept. 29, 1761, aged 68. 

Children: 15 Thomas, b Dec. 20, 17 19; 16 Mary and 17 John, 
twins, b Jan. 21, 1721. Mary m Josiah Newell of Southington, 
John d 1 741 ; 18 Josiah, b Jan. 28, 1724 or 5; 19 Asa, b Nov. 
30, 1728; 20 Timothy, b Oct. 8, 1731; 21 Amos, b March 17, 
1734; 22 Sam uc I , b March 8, 1737; 23 Freeman, b July 24, 
*739> (1 ^1S°- 

15 THOMAS. 

Thomas Upson, son of Thomas and Rachel (Judd) Upson, 
married Hannah, daughter of Capt. Timothy Hopkins of Water- 
bury, May 28, 1749. He settled one mile north of Wolcott Cen- 
ter, where his son, Squire Charles, afterward lived. He died in 
1798, aged 79. His wife, Hannah, died June 6, 1757. 

Children: 24 Benoni, b Feb. 14, 1750; 25 Charles, b March 

8, 1752; 26 Sylvia, b June 7, 1756, d 1764. 

18 josiah. 

Josiah UrsoN, son of Thomas and Rachel (Judd) Upson, mar- 
ried Elizabeth , and settled in Marion, Southington. He 

died Dec. 21, 1806, aged 82. His widow, Elizabeth, died Aug. 

9, 1823, aged 96. 

Children: 27 Ruth, bapt Jan. 17, 1755; 28 James, bapt June 
11, 1757; 29 Simeon, bapt March 15, 1761 ; 30 Thomas, bapt 
April 3, 1763 ; 31 Josiah, m March 5, 1789. Margaret Scott. 

19 ASA. 

Capt. Asa Upson, son of Thomas and Rachel (Judd) Upson, 
married Mary Newell of Southington, Jan. 17, [750. He held 



580 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

the military rank of Captain and died in Bristol, Feb. 5, 1807, 
aged 78. His widow died Nov. 17, 1816, aged 84. 

Children: 32 Truman, b Dec. 20, 175 1 ; 5$ Rachel, b Dec. 
26, 1753; 34 Asa, b 1755 ; 35 Saul, b Jan. 24, 1758; 36 George, 
b Feb. 4, 1760, d March 3, 1732, in Bristol, ae. 62; 37 Mary, b 
Jan. 28, 1762; 38 Job, b June's, 1 T 6 4, d J ul Y IX > *7 6 4; 39 Syl- 
via, b Aug. 10, 1765; 40 Z//ry, b Sept. 14, 1767; 41 Adah, b 
June 14, 1770. 

20 TIMOTHY. 

Timothy Upson, son of Thomas and Rachel (Judd) Upson, 
married Delight Norton, March 25, 1755, and uve d on the home- 
stead at the foot of the first hill, east from the top of Southing- 
ton mountain, on the old road. He built, in 1775, a house a lit- 
tle further east, on the same road. He was a very exemplary, 
good man. He died Sept. 4, 1799, aged 68. His widow, De- 
light, died Feb. 24, 1828, aged 94. 

Children: 42 Tryphena, b Sept. 1, 1756,111 Stephen Carter; 

43 Freelove, b March 22, 1759, m James Smith of Southington ; 

44 Sarah, b June 20, 1761, m Dr. Samuel Towner and removed 
to Vermont; 45 Ashbel, b March 19, 1764; 46 Timothy, b Sept. 
21, 1866; 47 Delight, b March 11, 1869, m Moses Todd, re- 
moved to Vermillye, Ohio; 48 Seth, b June 21, 1771 ; 49 Mar- 
tin, b March 29, 1774, d Feb. 7, 1777 ; 50 Selah, b May 20, 
1776; 51 Freeman, b June 16, 1781. 

21 AMOS. 

Amos Upson, son of Thomas and Rachel (Judd) Upson, mar- 
ried Sarah Woodruff of Southington, Feb. 27, 1766, who died Feb. 
13, 1797, aged 56. He married, 2d, April, 1798, widow Dorcas 
Alford of Kensington. He died July 8, 181 9, being burned to 
death while clearing a piece of land, aged 85 years. 

Children: 52 Lucy, b Nov. 19, 1766, m Bacon, removed 

to Mass.; 53 Shubel, b Nov. 15, 1767, d Aug. 20, 1773; 54 Sarah, 
b March 18, 1769, d Sept. 1^, 1773; 55 Amos, b March 14, 1771, 
m, May 8, 1794, Keziah Root; 56 Mark, b Aug. 2, 1772; 57 
Shubel, b 1774, m Roxanna Cowles; 58 Levi, b Jan. 2, 1777, d 
Aug. 12, 1779. 

2 2 SAMUEL. 

Capt. Samuel Upson, son of Thomas aud Rachel Judd) Up- 



GENEALOGIES. 58 1 

son, married Ruth Cowles, April 5, 1759, aiu ^ settled on the road 
about a mile west of his father's home. He was an active and in- 
fluential man in the Parish Society many years. When the road 
was made into a turnpike he became largely interested in that en- 
terprise. He died Feb. 25, 1816, aged 79. 

Children: 59 Mary, b Feb., 1759, m Joseph Minor; 60 Archi- 
bald, b April 26, 1 76 1, d 1782; 61 Isaac, b Dec. 22, 1763; 62 
Obed, b Jan. 2, 1767; 63 Harvey, b Nov. n, 1769; 64 Samuel, 
and 65 AW//, twins, b Aug. 16, 1772, Ruth, m Moses Byington ; 
66 Jerusha, b June 27, 1775, d 1775; 67 Manly, b March 12, 
1777; 68 Betsey, b Aug. 10, 1779, m Lyman Higgins. 

24 BENONI. 

Benoni Upson, D. D., son of Thomas and Hannah (Hopkins) 
Upson, married Livia, daughter of Joseph Hopkins of Waterbury. 
He was pastor of the Congregational church in Kensington many 
years and died Nov. 13, 1826, aged 76. (See Biog., page 354.) 

Children: 69 Gitstavus ; 70 Laura ; 7 1 Henry; 72 Livia ; 
73 Laura ; 74 Sophia y 75 Sally ; 76 William. 

25 CHARLES. 

Charles Upson, son of Thomas and Hannah (Hopkins) Up- 
son, married, 1st, Wealthy Hopkins, May 26, 1773. She died 
Dec. 2S, 1783. He married, 2d, widow Mary Moulthrop, Nov. 
24, 1784. He resided on the homestead, and was a man of large 
influence in the community, and in 1805 had the largest tax list 
of any of the men in the Society. He subscribed the largest sum 
for the settlement of Rev. Mr. Woodward in 1792. He was Jus- 
tice of the Peace so many years that he was spoken of mostly as 
"Squire Charles," and the farm where he lived is known at the 
present time as the place of " Squire Charles Upson." He was 
accidentally killed in New Haven by hitting his head against a 
beam while riding into a barn on a load of hay, April 29, 1809, 
aged 57. His widow, Mary, died March 30, 1826, aged 76. 

Children by first wife: 77 Washington, b Sept. 2, 1775; 78 
Lee, b May 7, 1778; 79 Gates, b July 18, 1780. By second 
wife: 80 Thomas, b Sept. 23, 1785; 81 Charles Hopkins, b July 
19, 1788; 82 Mark, b Oct. 24, 1790; 83 Wealthy II, b April 



582 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

18, 1794, m, March 30, 1817, Dr. Ambrose Ives, and after some 
years removed to Waterbury. 

28 JAMES. 

James Upson, son of Josiah and Elizabeth Upson, married, Jan. 
4, 1 781, Mary, daughter of Josiah Cowles. He died in Southing- 
ton, Jan. 22, 1803, aged 45. His widow died Sept. 2, 1842, aged 

85- 

Children: 84 Asakel, m Aug. 7, 1806, Lydia Webster; 85 Sal- 
mon, m Aug. 28, 1 81 6, Belinda Lewis; 86 Levia, b 1786, d Oct. 
22, 1801; 87 Stanley, b 1796, d March 20, 1797. 

45 ASHBEL. 

Ashbel Upson, son of Timothy and Delight (Norton) Upson, 
married Mehitable Castle of Waterbury, in 1787, and lived in 
Woodtick. 

Children : 88 Allen, b Nov. 30, 1788; 89 Freelove, b Feb. 7, 
1790, d Feb. 20, 1842; 90 Julia, b Dec. 21, 1793, d Nov. 20, 
1813 ; 91 Lucy, b June 5, 1796, m Samuel W. Truesdell, removed 
to Pennsylvania; 92 Ashbel, b Sept. 5, 1798; 93 Selah, b Nov. 
21, 1800; 94 Salmon, b Sept. 8, 1803; 95 Loman, b May 9. 
1806 ; 96 Clarissa E., b Sept. 9, 1809, d Jan. 27, 1830. 

46 TIMOTHY. 

Timothy Upson, son of Timothy and Delight (Norton) Upson, 
married Mary Johnson. 

Children: 97 Martin; 98 Amanda; 99 Joel ; 100 Robinson ; 
10 1 Alary; 102 Salome ; 103 Timothy; 104 Romeo. 

48 SETH. 

Seth Upson, son of Timothy and Delight (Norton) Upson, 
married Chloe Blakeslee of North Haven, Dec. 25, 1795, settled 
in Burlington and died there. 

Children: 105 Orrin, b May 29, 1799; 106 Theodosia, b Oct. 

19, 1799; 107 Seth, b July 14, 1801 ; 108 Chloe, b April 12, 
1803. 

50 SELAH. 

Selah Upson, son of Timothy and Delight (Norton) Upson, 
married Martha Hitchcock, Oct. 18, 1802, and lived a mile and a 



GENEALOGIES. 583 

half south of Woodtick. He died June 3, 1854, aged 78. His 
wife, Martha, was born Oct. 29, 1780, and died Dec. 31, 1863, 
aged S3. 

Children: 109 Sabrina, b Aug. 21, 1804, m Chester Thorp of 
Southington, Feb. 9, 1825; no Martha, b Aug. 28, 1807, m 
Murk Tuttle, April 12. 1827 ; in Henry D., b Oct. 5, 1809; 112 
Emily, b June 24, 1814, d June 28, 1815 ; 113 Emily M, b 
April 16, 1817. d Sept. 13, 1865; 114 Miles S., b Dec. 6, 1820; 
IX 5 J oe l W, D J an - IO > l % 2 3- 

51 FREEMAN. 

Freeman Upson, son of Timothy and Delight (Norton) Upson, 
married Hannah Todd in 1802. 

Children : 116 Nancy, b Feb. 21, 1803, m Joel Moss of Chesh- 
ire ; 117 Hezekiah T., b March 21, 1805; 118 Julius, b Feb. 15, 
1807; 119 Beimet, b Feb. 21, 1809; 120 Fidelia D., b July 6, 
181 1. m Lucius Odel, lived and died in Waterbury ; 121 Emma, 
b June 12, 1813, d Jan. 19, 1833; I22 Willis, b Oct. 2, 1815, d 
Sept. 6, 1819; 123 Julia, b Nov. 19, 1817, m Joseph H. Rogers 
of East Haven; 124 Willis, b April 5, 1820; 125 Luc in a, b May 
2, 1822, m Benjamin A. Lindsley. May 16, 1844. 

56 MARK. 

Mark Upson, son of Amos and Sarah (Woodruff) Upson, mar- 
ried, May 9, 1796, Mereb, daughter of Immer Judd of Southing- 
ton, and settled in the south part of the same place, where he 
died Nov. 16, 1806, aged 33. After his death, his widow, Mereb, 
lived, with her daughter, Elpatia, near Boston, where she died. 

Children: 126 Dana Judd, b 1797; 127 Marcus, b 1799, d 
July 11, 1831, ae. 32; 128 Elpatia. 

6 1 ISAAC. 

Isaac Upson, son of Samuel and Ruth (Cowles) Upson, mar- 
ried Sylvia, daughter of Capt. Nathaniel Lewis, lived in Wood- 
tick and at the Mill place. 

Children: 129 Jerusha, b May 22, 1789, m Thomas Upson; 
130 Ira Gridley, b Oct. 11, 1791 ; 131 Lucas, b June 7, 1796; 
132 Harriet, b Aug, 3, 1800, m Abel Hendrick, died in New 
Britain in 1869. 



584 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

62 OBED. 

Obed Upson, son of Samuel and Ruth (Cowles) Upson, mar- 
ried Sybil Howe and lived in Waterbury. 

Children: 133 Laura; 134 Hiram; 135 Maria ; 136 Garry; 
137 Leva ; 138 Charlotte. 

63 HARVEY. 

Dea. Harvey Upson, son of Samuel and Ruth (Cowles) Up- 
son, married Rachel Wheeler Nov. 28, 1796. She was born Aug. 
2 5> 1775- He was deacon of the church twenty-five years. He 
bore the military rank of Captain, and is spoken of as a good man, 
faithful and true in all the relations of life. The blessings of a 
good man descend to his children. 

Children : 139 Samuel Wheeler, b Oct. 8, 1798; 140 Jerry, b 
Nov. 16, 1800; 141 Marshall, b Feb. 22, 1803; 142 Lois Mlis- 
sa, b Aug. 27, 1805, m Lucas Sutliff ; 143 Marcus, b Aug. 20, 
1807; 144 Harvey Woodward, b Nov. 22, 1810 ; 145 lucia/h 
and 146 Lucius, twins, b Feb. 13, 1815. 

64 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Upson, son of Samuel and Ruth (Cowles) Upson, mar- 
ried Lois, daughter of Simeon Hopkins, and removed to Camden, 
N. Y. 

Children: 147 Wealthy, b Dec. 24, 1793; 148 Archibald, b 
Feb. 11, 1796; 149 Ruth, b Feb. 2, 1798; 150 John, b March 
19, 1801 ; 151 Polly, b Oct. 24, 1803; 152 Alvin, b Sept. 1, 
1806; 153 Salmon, b May 29, 1809; 154 Hopkins, b Dec, 29, 
181 1 ; 155 William, b June 10, 1814; 156 Major Isaac, b May 
10, 1817. 

67 MANLY. 

Manly Upson, son of Samuel and Ruth (Cowles) Upson, mar- 
ried Laura, daughter of David Harrison. 

Children : 157 David, b Feb. 2, 1802 ; 158 Betsey, b June 27, 
1803 ; 159 Ira Cowles, b April 21, 1805; 160 Marcia, b Dec. 2, 
1806; 161 Nelson, b Nov. 14, 1808; 162 Sophia, b June 20, 
181 1; 163 Caleb Strong, b May 30, 1813; 164 Lucas Hart, b 
Aug. 15, 1815; 165 Mary Maria, b Nov. 10, 18 18; 166 lucas 
Manly, b April 30, 182 1. 



GENEALOGIES. 585 

77 WASHINGTON. 

Washington Upson, son of Charles and Wealthy (Hopkins) 
Upson, married Rhoda Carter. 

Children: 167 Marcus; 168 Cyrus; 169 Charles, lives in 
Pennsylvania. 

78 LEE. 

Lee Upson, son of Charles and Wealthy (Hopkins) Upson, 
married Roxanna Lewis. 

Children: 170 Sarah ; 171 Israel ; 172 ; 173 . 

79 GATES. 

Gates Upson, son of Charles and Wealthy (Hopkins) Upson, 
married, rst, Polly Hotchkiss, June 25, 1809. She died March 
21, 1830, aged 37. He married, 2d, Polly Smith of Wallingford, 
April 12, 1832, and she died Oct. 18, 1840, aged 54 years. He 
married, 3d, Rachel Hotchkiss, Sept. 8, 1S42, who died Feb. 5, 
1845. He married, 4th, Hannah Withington, May 21, 1846. 
He was a prominent man in the Society and Town for a number 
of years. 

Children: 174 Mary Hotchkiss, b Feb. 15, 181 i,d May 3, 
1836; 175 Wealthy Hopkins, b Nov. 25, 1812; 17 6 Asaph ; 177 
Hotchkiss, b Oct. 1, 1820; 178 Henry, b June 10, 1829, d May 
12, 1830. 

80 THOMAS. 

Thomas Upson, son of Charles and Mary (Moulthrop) Upson, 
married Jerusha, daughter of Isaac Upson, May 14, 1807. His 
house was half a mile north of the Center, where he lived some 
years, and where all of his children were born. He removed to 
Berlin about 1834, where he died March 8, 1848, aged 63. His 
wife, Jerusha, died Aug. 9, 1864, aged 75. 

Children: 179 Charles Hopkins, b Jan. 28, 1808; 180 Gusta- 
vus, b Feb 10, 1810; 181 Russell, b Jan. 31, 181 1 ; 182 Thomas, 
b March 25, 18 13; 183 Jenette, b June 28, 18 15, m Renselaer 
Minor, son of Joshua, May 14, 1835, an ^ ' ias children, Robert, b 
April 18, 1837, and Ellen Jenette, b Sept. 3, 1839; x &4 Isaac, b 
June 9, 18 1 7 ; 185 Samuel, b Feb. 7, 1820; 186 John, b March 
14, 1822; 187 William, b July 2, 1825; 188 Ambrose Ives, b 
April 18, 1827 ; 189 Seth Peck, b April 5, 1830, d July 30, 1865 ; 
48 



586 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

190 Henry, and 191 Arabella H. F, twins, b May 21, 1831, Ar- 
abella died Jan. 11, 1857. 

94 SALMON. 

Salmon Upson, son of Ashbel and Mehitable (Castle) Upson, 
married Maria Jackson Nov. 26, 1835, removed to Bristol, Wis- 
consin, in June, 1840. 

Children: 192 Julia, b Dec. 6, 1836, m John C. Newberry of 
Pilot Point, Texas; 193 Mary J., b Nov. 5, 1838, m J. R. Marsh, 
Kenosha, Wis.; 194 Salmon E., b in Wisconsin; 195 Hannah 
A., b Sept. 9, 1844, d 1845 > x 9 6 Lucy M., b Aug. 9, 1846, m 
Alson Stonebreaker and lives in Racine, Wis.; 197 Hannah A., 
b Sept. 18, 1850; 198 Ellen E., b Oct. 5, 1852, d April 10, 
1872. 

97 MARTIN. 

Martin Upson, son of Timothy and Mary (Johnson) Upson, 
married Phebe Todd and lived in Woodtick. 

Children: 199 Mary, b Aug. 26, 1824; 200 Ann V., b Feb. 
11, 1826; 201 Julina, b April 11, 1828; 202 Clarissa C, b April 
11, 1830; 203 Lucy A., b May 19, 1832; 204 Frederick M., b 
March 3, 1835 » 2 °5 Salome, b Jan. 22, 1839. 

114 miles s. 

Dea. Miles S. Upson, son of Selah and Martha (Hitchcock) 
Upson married Mary A., daughter of Ira Hough, April 20, 1845, 
resides a mile east of the Center and is a prosperous farmer. 

Children: 206 Emma A., b Feb. 9, 1846, m Charles E. S. 
Hall, Sept. 25, 1869; 207 M Elodine, b May 3, 1850; 208 Ev- 
elyn M, b May 7, 1852 ; 209 Eugenia L., b Aug. 11, 1859; 210 
Martha A., b Nov. 27, 1864. 

115 JOEL w. 

Joel W. Upson, son of Selah and Martha (Hitchcock) Upson, 
married Eleanor Gaylord, Oct. 3, 1855, and resides on his father's 
homestead. His wife, Martha, was born Jan. 4, 183 1. 

Children: 21 1 Evalcna J., b July 30,1856; 212 a daughter, b 
July 23, 1858, d same day; 213 Ellen £., b July 23, i860, d Aug. 
9, 1862 ; 214 Ella A., b April 11, 1863; 215 Harriet A., b June 
4, 1865, d Dec. 22, 1872; 216 Carrie E., b July 17, 1868. 



GENEALOGIES. 587 

126 DANA JUDD. 

Dana J. Upson, son of Mark and Mereb (Judd) Upson, mar- 
ried Mary Clark of Utica, N. Y. He died in Southington, Aug. 
27, 1829, aged 32. After his death his widow removed to Utica 
with her children. 

Children: 217 Elizabeth E., bapt Oct. 12, 1828, in Southing- 
ton ; 218 Anson Judd, is pastor of the Second Presbyterian church 
in Albany, N. Y. 

134 HIRAM. 

Hiram Upson, son of Obed and Sibyl (Howe) Upson, married 
Sarah, daughter of Michael Harrison, lives in Waterbury. 

Children: 219 LeTa ; 220 Laura; 221 Maria; 222 Garry; 
223 Caroline ; 224 Charlotte ; 225 Luther. 

I39 SAMUEL WHEELER. 

Samuel W. Upson, son of Harvey and Rachel (Wheeler) Up- 
son, married Sally Maria Stevens of Columbus, Chenango Co., N. 
Y., March 28, 1820, and now resides in New Haven. They cel- 
ebrated their Golden Wedding March 28, 1870, and have six 
children and eighteen grandchildren. 

Children: 226 Charles Dwight, b Aug. 20, 1821 ; 227 Albert 
S., b March 16, 1823; 228 Emetine M., b Dec. 5, 1824, m 
Franklin Downs of Bristol ; 229 Clark W., b Nov. 6, 1826; 230 
M. Ashmun, b Nov. 29, 1830, m Elbert McLendon of Alabama. 

140 JERRY. 

Jerry Upson, son of Harvey and Rachel (Wheeler) Upson, 
married Rhoda Munn of Southbury, Nov. 24, 1829. She was 
born June 14, 1809. He lives in Marion, Southington. 

Children: 231 Ellen, b Sept. 12, 1830, m Ira B. Andrews of 
Cheshire, d Oct. 16, 1850; 232 Jane, b Feb. 8, 1832, d April 4, 
1848 ; 233 Edgar, b Sept. 24, 1840, d Aug. 1, 1864, having con- 
tracted sickness in the late war; 234 Ella Jane, b July 21, 1849, 
m Leonidas M. Camp of Rocky Hill, June 1, 187 1. 

141 MARSHALL. 

Marshall Upson, son of Harvey and Rachel (Wheeler) Up- 



588 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

son, married Esther Jenette Barker of Bristol, lives in southern 
part of the Town. 

Child : 235 Lavallette, b Sept. 27, 1849. 

143 MARCUS. 

Marcus Upson, son of Harvey and Rachel (Wheeler) Upson, 
removed to South Carolina. 

Children: 236 John Drenan ; 237 Marcus; 238 Holly; 239 
Rachel. 

144 HARVEY WOODWARD. 

Harvey W. Upson, son of Harvey and Rachel (Wheeler) Up- 
son, married Elizabeth Ransom of Oxford and lives in Cheshire. 

Children: 240 Charles, a physician, and resides in Massachu- 
setts; 241 George. 

145 LUCIAN. 

Lucian Upson, son of Harvey and Rachel (Wheeler) Upson, 
married Lois A. Johnson, and lives on the homestead, south part 
of the Town. 

Children: 242 Leroy, b Jan. 14, 1840; 243 Sophronia £., b 
June 30, 1842, m J. H. Garrigus of New Jersey, Dec. 24, 1865, 
and had children, Ella May, b Oct. 28, 1866, d Nov. 13, 1866, 
Walter Henry, b March 10, 1869, Fannie E., b Oct. 29, 1871, 
Willie L., b Jan. 25, 1874; 244 Lucella M., b Nov. 13, 1853, m 
James A. Todd, Oct. 29, 1874. 

146 LUCIUS. 

Dea. Lucius Upson, son of Harvey and Rachel (Wheeler) Up- 
son, married, Nov. 8, 1840, Lucy K. Bement, lives in Plantsville, 
Southington. 

Children: 245 Josephine Z., b Aug. 6, 1841, m David E. 
Downs, May 24, 1865, and has children, Lizzie M., b May 17, 
1869, George E., b Aug. n, 1872; 246 Charles B., b July 27, 
1843; 247 Augusta E., b April 26, 1845 ; 2 4S Justi/ia E., b Jan. 
13, 1847; 2 49 Bement IV., b Jan. 19, 1849; 2 5° Emma J., b 
Oct. 22, 1851 ; 251 Edivard L., b March 27, 1856; 252 Arthur 
JV., b July 13, 1858; 253 Frank E., b May 17, 1861. 

179 CHARLES HOPKINS. 

Charles H. Upson, son of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Up- 



GENEALOGIES. 589 

son, married Nancy S. Whittlesey of Southington. He was a 
merchant in that place. 

Children: 254 Mary Whittlesey, h Feb. 2, 1843; 2 55 Charles 
Hopkins, b Dec. 17, 1849. 

180 GUSTAVUS. 

Gustavus Upson, son of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Upson, 
married Rachel C. Woodruff of Hartford, April 20, 1836, who died 
March 30, 1843. He married, 2d, Emily M. Woodruff, sister of 
1st wife, July 1, 1844, who died Nov. 30, 1872. He is a farmer. 

Children: 256 Alice Rachel, b Aug. 2, 1837 '■> 2 57 Francis Ma- 
ria, b Nov. 30, 1845; 2 58 Royal Robbins, b April 15, 1848 ; 259 
Amelia Elizabeth, b July 18, 1850. 

181 RUSSELL. 

Russell Upson, son of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Upson, 
married Adeline, daughter of Lucius Tuttle, Senr., May 19, 1834. 
He lives in New Haven. 

Children: 260 Theron, b Oct. 14, 1835; 2< ^ r Emily, b June 5, 
1837; 262 Eveline, b Feb. 4, 1839; 263 Martin, b March 31, 
1843, was m tne army in the late war, d 1866 in Chicago; 264 
Fanny, b Nov. 30, 1848; 265 Charles, b May 25, 1853. 

182 THOMAS, JR. 

Thomas Upson, son of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Upson, 
married, Sept. 13, 1841, Mrs. Mariette Smith of Berlin, whose 
maiden name was Robbins. 

Children : 266 Thomas and 267 William G., twins, b June 22, 
1844; 268 Minnie Francis, b Oct. 29, 1855. 

184 ISAAC. 

Isaac Upson, son of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Upson, 
married Elizabeth D., daughter of Benjamin Allen of Berlin, Sept. 
23, 1856. She died Oct. 13, 1866. He married, 2d, Mrs. Fi- 
delia Buckley, whose maiden name was Roberts, April 18, 1867. 

Children : 269 Harriet Elizabeth, b March 6, 1857 ; 270 Ben- 
jamin Allen, b Feb. 13, 1859; 271 Ambrose Isaac, b Sept. n, 
i860; 272 George B. McLelland, b Aug. 23, 1862; 273 Henry 
Gridley, b Dec. 6, 1863. 



590 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

185 SAMUEL. 

Samuel Upson, son of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Upson, 
married Margaretta, daughter of Rollin Dickinson of Southington, 
Sept. 15, 1841. He was a merchant in that place and afterwards 
in Kensington. He was several times a member of the Legisla- 
ture. His first wife died Nov. 29, 1844. He married, 2d, Ann 
Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Whittlesey of Southington, Nov. 5, 
1845. 

Children: 274 Margaretta, b March 17, 1843; 275 Lovine,\> 
Sept. 17, 1847; 2 7^ Julia Whittlesey, b March 29, 1851; 277 
Nellie Eveline, b March 22, 1855 ; 278 Grace, b Aug. 21, 1863. 

186 JOHN. 

John Upson, son of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Upson, mar- 
ried Cornelia, daughter of Dr. Timothy Jones of Southington, 
July 29, 1856. She died June 21, 186 1. He married, 2d, Mrs. 
Emily B. Humiston of New York City, daughter of Russell 
Barnes of Cheshire, Feb. 16, 1870. He was a merchant in 
Southington, Kensington, and New York City. He resides in 
New Haven. 

187 WILLIAM. 

William Upson, son of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Upson, 
married Mary, daughter of Samuel Hart of Berlin, Oct. 15, 1856, 
who died June 30, 1871. He married, 2d, M. Aurelia, daughter 
of Isaac Hough, and is a farmer in Kensington. 

Children: 279 William Henry, b March 29, 1858; 280 Lucy 
Jenette, b March 26, i860; 281 Arthur William, b June 25, 
1863; 282 Alice Cornelia, b June 9, 1868; 283 Mary Hart, b 
April 15, 187 1. 

188 AMBROSE IVES. 

Ambrose I. Upson, son of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Up- 
son, married Mary Scovill, daughter of Rev. Dr. Clark of Water- 
bury, Nov. 2, 1864. He was a merchant in Michigan, some 
years, in which State he was member of the Senate two years. 
He afterwards removed to New York' City, where he was engaged 
in business fifteen years. He now resides in Hartford. 

Children: 284 Ambrose Ives, bin New York, Feb. n, 1866 • 
285 Mary Scovill Clark, b in New York, March 1, 187 1. 



GENEALOGIES. 591 

190 HENRY. 

Rev. Henry Upson, son of Thomas and Jerusha (Upson) Up- 
son, married Abbie A. Piatt of Milford, Oct. 13, 1863. (See 
Biog., page 356.) 

242 LEROY. 

Leroy Upson, son of Lucian and Lois J. (Johnson) Upson, 
married Ardelia M. Tuttle, Nov. 26, 1862, and resides in Water- 
bury. 

Children : 286 Walter Leroy, b June 19, 1866, d July 7, 1866 ; 
287 Addie Maria, b May 12, 1868; 288 Herbert Manton, b April 
4, 1873. 

246 CHARLES B. 

Charles B. Upson, son of Lucius and Lucy K. (Bement) Up- 
son, married Hester L. Potter, June, 1866. 

Children : 289 Alice J., b Aug. 6, 1867 ; 290 Emma L %} b 
April 26, 1870. 



WAKELEE. 



I EBENEZER. 

Ebenezer Wakelee was born in Stratford, Conn., where his 
father, James, resided. He came to Wolcott and married Eliza- 
beth Nichols of Waterbury, and settled on land purchased by his 
father, it being several hundred acres. He was probably the first 
settler in that part of Wolcott, called, originally, the " Big Plains." 
The residence of the late Bement J. Wakelee is the old home- 
stead. 

Children : 2 David ; 3 Elizabeth, m Reuben Frisbie ; 4 Sarah, 
m Josiah Barnes of Waterbury, Nov. 20, 1777, resided in Wol- 
cott j 5 

2 DAVID. 

David Wakelee, son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Nichols) 
Wakelee, married Mary, daughter of Joseph Parker, Feb. 21, 
1788, and lived on the homestead. 

Children : 6 Haiinah, m Allen Upson ; 7 Arad, m Esther 
Pritchard • 8 Mary, m Julius Jones of Litchfield ; 9 Lovisa, never 
married; 10 Irani, m Content Sabins and died in Southington ; 
1 1 Sabrina, m Rufus Smith of Pennsylvania ; 1 2 Almus, b March 
9, 1801 ; 13 Miranda, m Norton G. Smith of Pennsylvania; 14 
David, m Clarinda Carrier of Susquehanna Co., Penn., in which 
place he settled. 

12 ALMUS. 

Almus Wakelee, son of David and Mary (Parker) Wakelee, 
married Harriet E. Bement about 1824 and resided on the home- 
stead. 

Children: 15 Hannah Eliza, b March 2o ; 1826, m Willis Up- 
son and had daughter Sarah, who married George E. Alcott ; 16 
Bement J., b Oct. 25, 1828. 

592 



GENEALOGIES. 593 

1 6 BEMENT J. 

Bement J. Wakelee, son of Almus and Harriet E. (Bement) 
Wakelee, married, Aug. 16, 1848, Salinda Hickox of Susquehanna 
Co., Penn., and lived on the homestead, and died Jan. 15, 1855. 

Children : 1 7 James Almus, b July 21, 1849 ; 18 Bement David, 
b Oct. 28, 1859, d April 10, 1873; 19 Edward Decosti, b May 
30, 1852, d Aug. 1, 1853 ; 20 John Evelyn, b March 12, 1854, d 
Jan. 12, 1855. 

49 



WARNER.* 

John Warner was among the early settlers of Hartford and 
Farmington. 

Children: i John; 2 Daniel; 3 Thomas ; 4 Sarah. 

I JOHN, JR. 

John Warner, son of John, was in Waterbury in 1703, and re- 
turned to Farmington, where he died soon after 1706. 

Children : 5 Ephraim; 6 John; 7 Robert (see Cothren's History 
of Woodbury, p. 752); 8 Ebenezer ; 9 Lydia ; 10 Thomas. 

5 EPHRAIM. 

Doct. Ephraim Warner, son of John, married Esther, daughter 
of Obediah Richards, Aug. 16, 1692, and died Aug. 1, 1753, aged 
83. He practiced medicine a few years in Woodbury, and then 
returned to Waterbury, where he became a prominent man in the 
town. He was townsman, school committee, town collector, 
deputy to the general court, several years. He was the second 
captain of the " train band." 

Children: 11 Margaret, b Feb. 16, 1693, d March, 1693; 12 
Ephraim, b Oct. 29, 1695, d Dec. 28, 1704; 13 Benjamin, b Sept. 
30, 1698; 1 4 John, b June 24, 1700; 15 Obediah, b Feb. 24 
1702 or 3 ; 16 Esther ; 17 Ephraim; 18 Ebenezer. 

13 BENJAMIN. 

Doct. Benjamin Warner, son of Ephraim, married Hannah, 
daughter of Josiah Strong of Colchester, March 17, 1720, and 
died April, 1772, aged 73. His widow, Hannah, died April, 1785 
aged 85. He was a physician, and lived on Buck's Hill, where 
his father gave him a house and lands. 

Children: 19 Josiah, b April 10, 1721, m Rebecca Brown; 20 

"■ : See History <>f Waterbury. Those parts of the Warner family who are 
connected with Wolcott families are given. 

594 



GENEALOGIES. 595 

Dinah, b Feb. 11, 1723, m Benjamin Harrison, brother of Dea. 
Aaron of Wolcott ; 21 Reuben, b Oct. 12, 1725, d March 28, 1727 ; 
22 Margaret, b Nov. 9, 1727, in Oliver Welton ; 23 Reuben, b Sept. 
21, 1729; 24 David, b Nov. 27, 1731 ; 25 Benjamin, b Jan. 26, 
1734; 26 Anna, b Jan. 31, 1736, m John Hickox, jr. ; 27 Ephraim, 
b June 26, 1738, m Lydia Brown, March 30, 1760, d May 20, 
1808, his widow died July 20, 1S15 ; 27 Eunice, b Aug. 5, 1740, 
m John Hickox, 3d; 28 Ant, b Nov. 1, 1742, m Elizabeth Porter. 

14 JOHN. 

Dea. John Warner, son of Ephraim and Esther (Richards) 
Warner, married Esther, daughter of David Scott, Dec. 17, 1724. 
She died Feb. 18, 1726, and he married, 2d, Mary, daughter of 
Thomas Hickox, Oct. 3, 1728, who died in 1784. He settled 
first on Buck's Hill, where his father gave him twenty acres of 
land, valuing it at " £60 money." He afterwards removed to 
Northbury, and was the third deacon in the Northbury church, 
appointed in 1746. He died Sept. 7, 1794, aged 94 years. 

Children: 29 Esther, b Sept. 11, 1729^ Sept. 4, 1730; 30 
Phebe, b Jan. 8, 1732; 31 Aunis, b Jan. 3, 1735; 32 Jimes, b 
Dec. ti, 1739; 33 Mary, b Oct. 9, 1742, d April 21, 1745; 34 
Elijah, b March 21, 1746, 35 John, b Oct. 14, 1749, m Anne 
Sutliflf. 

19 JOSIAH. 

Josiah Warner, son of Benjamin and Hannah (Strong) War- 
ner, married Rebecca, daughter of James Bronson, March 26, 
1748, and died Aug. 26, 1750. His widow died Jan. 5, 1756. 

Child : 36 Ozias, b Aug. 21, 1749, m Tamar Nichols. 

24 DAVID. 

I >AVID Warner, son of Benjamin and Hannah (Strong) Warner, 
married Abigail Harrison, sister of Dea. Aaron of Wolcott, Dec. 

", ^Si- 
Children: 37 Josiah. b Oct. 6. 1754. m Anne Pritchard; 38 
laron, b Nov. 24, 1756, rh Lydia Welton ; 39 L^rauia, b Oct. 1, 
1758; 40 James /f..\) Dec. i<S, 1760; 41 Benjamin, b Nov. 17, 
1762. 

28 ARD. 

Ard Warner, son of Benjamin and Hannah (Strong) Warner, 



596 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

married Elizabeth, daughter of Doct. Daniel Porter, Jan. 12, 1764, 
and died April 30, 1824, aged 82. His widow died Aug. 21, 

1835, a E ed 9°- 

Children: 42 Johanna, b 1764, m Samuel Gunn, had several 
children, and died in Ohio ■ 43 Lydia, b 1766, m Samuel Alcox, 
lived in Wolcott; 44 Ephraim, b 1768, was drowned in 1786; 45 

Elizabeth, b 1769, m Osborn, went to Black River, N. Y. ; 

46 Prudence, b 1772, removed to Camden, N. Y. ; 47 David, b 
1774; 48 Irena, b 1775, m twice, and lived in Pennsylvania; 49 
Ard, b 1777 ; 50 Hannah, b 1780, m Anson, son of Ozias War- 
ner ; 51 Asahel, b 1782 ; 52 Chauncey, b 1785, removed to Fulton, 
Ohio; 53 Susan, b 1789, m Levi, son of Ozias Warner. 

32 JAMES. 

James Warner, son of John and Esther (Scott) Warner, mar- 
ried Eunice, daughter of David Dutton, Jan. 1, 1761, and died 
May 27, 18 1 9. His wife died May 7, 1815. 

Children : 54 Sarah, b Oct. 2^ 176J ; 53 Noah, b Aug., 1763, d 
Sept. 18, 1820; 56 Luanda, b Sept. 20, 1765, m Elijah Hotch- 
kiss; 57 Eunice, b April 3, 1769, d Aug. 20, 1769; 58 James, b 
Jan. 25, 1771, d Jan. 15, 1773; 59 Eunice, b May 31, 1773, m 
Eli Terry; do James, b Nov. 1, 1775. 

34 ELIJAH. 

Elijah Warner, son of John and Esther (Scott) Warner, mar- 
ried Esther, daughter of Thomas Fenn, Nov. 19, 1767, and lived 
in Plymouth. 

Children : 61 Lyman, b May 22, 1768; 62 Chauncey, b June 
n, 1770, m A. Talmadge ; 63 Rosetta, b Feb. 25, 1773 ; 64 Eli- 
jah ; 65 Apollos, m Chloe Wilcox of Simsbury. 

64 ELIJAH, JR. 

Elijah Warner, son of Elijah and Esther (Fenn) Warner, 
married Clarissa Guernsey, who is now (1874) in her ninety- third 
year, residing in Plymouth. 

Children: 66 Emeline, m, 1st, Charles Butler, 2d, Newman At- 
water, and lives in Plymouth; 67 Noah G., in Eliza Darrow, lives 
in Plymouth; 68 Erastus W. 



GENEALOGIES. 597 

68 ERASTUS W. 

Krastus W. Warner, son of Elijah and Clarissa (Guernsey) 
Warner, married Eliza J. Whitlock of Plymouth, Jan. 7, 1842. 
He removed to Wolcott in 1852, where he still resides, engaged 
in business as a merchant. 

Children : 69 Sarah Jane, b April 27, 1843, m Theron Minor, 
Dec. 1, 1861, lives in Waterbury and has a daughter, Myrtie D., 
b Oct. 6, 1862; 70 Elijah M, b Oct. 8, 1864, d March 5, 1867 ; 
71 Clara E.< b Dec. 24, 1859. 



WELTON. 

John Welton was an early settler of Farmington and was one 
of the eighty-four proprietors of that town in 1672, and a signer 
of the articles in 1674, and was probably in Waterbury as early as 
1679. He died June 18, 1726, and his wife, Mary, died Oct. 18. 
1 7 16. 

Children : 1 Abigail, m, about 1691, Cornelius Bronson of 
Woodbury; 2 Mary, m John Richards, Aug. 17, 1692; 3 Eliza- 
beth, m Thomas Griffin; 4 John, m Sarah Buck of Weathersfield. 
March 13, 1706; 5 Stephen, m Mary Gaylord, March 4, 1701 or 
2 ; 6 Richard, b March, 1680, reputed the first male child of Eu- 
ropean parents born in Waterbury; 7 Hannah, b April 1, 1683, 
m Thomas Squire, Jr. • 8 Thomas, b Feb. 4, 1684 or 5 ; 9 George, 
b Feb. 3, 1686 or 7; 10 Elsie, b Aug., 1690. 

6 RICHARD. 

Richard Welton, son of John and Mary Welton, married 
Mary, daughter of Stephen Upson, and lived a few years in Wa- 
terbury, then bought of Joseph Gaylord, Jr., in 1708, a house on 
Buck's Hill, to which place he removed. 

Children: 11 Richard, b 1701; 12 John, b July 13, 1703; 13 
Stephen, b March 12, 1706; 14 Mary, b June 1, 1708 ; 15 Thom- 
as,^ Oct. 25, 1710, d Dec. 1, 1780; 16 Hezekiah, b Dec. 1, 
1713, m Abraham Warner; 17 Eliakim, b Jan. 21, 1715,; 18 Ta- 
bitha, b Feb. 17, 1720, m Edward Neal, lived in Southington, af- 
terwards Wolcott; 19 Ede, b April 24, 1726, rri Lewis, d 

ae. 21. 

13 STEPHEN. 

Stephen Welton, son of Richard and Mary (Upson) Welton, 

598 



GENEALOGIES. 599 

married Deborah, daughter of John Sutliff and died April 30, 

1759- 

Children: 19 Martha, b Nov. 19, 1732, d 1735; 20 Levi, b 
Nov. 10, 1734, d 1736; 21 Martha, b March 1, 1736, m J. Gril- 
ley; 22 Dinah, b May 2, 1738 ; 23 Levi, b March 6, 1741 ; 24 
Stephen, b Jan. 7, 1744; 25 Thomas, b Dec. 22, 1749, d 1751; 
26 Thomas, b Nov. 22, 1 75 1. 

17 ELIAKIM. 

Eliakim Welton, son of Richard and Mary (Upson) Welton, 
married Eunice, daughter of Moses Bronson and settled on Spin- 
dle Hill, a little north of [ohn Alcox's place. He died Nov. 20, 
[794, aged 79. 

Children: 27 Eliakim, b Sept. 22, 1736; 28 Eunice, b Oct. 19, 
1738, m David Roberts; 29 Avis, b Aug. 13, 1740, m Thaddeus 
Barnes; 30 Richard, b Oct. 10, 1743, d Feb. 26, 1822; 31 Eli, 
b Oct. 10, 1746; 32 Moses, b June 25, 1749; 33 Aaron, b Feb. 
19, 1752 ; 34 Benoni and 35 Benjamin, twins, b Feb. iS, 1756. 

26 THOMAS. 

Thomas Welton, son of Stephen and Deborah (Sutliff) Wel- 
ton, married, 1st, Abigail, daughter of Lieut. Wm. Hickox, June 
22, 1772, who died Jan. 13, 1791, 2d, Ruth Thomas, 3d, Hannah 
Hill. He settled on the north end of Chestnut Hill, a little south 
of the Streat Richard's place. 

Children: 36 Seymour, b July 2, 1772; 37 Sarah, b Dec. 18, 
1773- d 1774 J 38 fared, b July 15, 1774 ; 39 Elias, b July 18, 
1776, m Rhoda Prindle of Watertown : 40 Sarah, b Dec. 12, 
1778. m Levi Hall of Wolcott ; 41 Chloe, b Nov. 2, 1789, m John 
Barnes; 42 Lydia, b July 21, 1783; 43 Fanny, b April 1, 1785; 
44 Laura, b Feb., 1787; 45 Ransom, b July 18, 1789, went to 
Canada ; 46 Thomas LL and 47 Ruth Al., twins, Ruth married 
Streat Todd; 48 LLerschel, b 1797, d 1842. 

27 ELIAKIM, 2D. 

Eliakim Welton, son of Eliakim and Eunice (Bronson) Wel- 
ton, married Amy, daughter of Ebenezer Baldwin, who died Jan. 
3, 1829, aged 87. He died June 8, 182 1, aged 85. He was an 



600 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

active man in the Episcopal Society, and is still kindly remem- 
bered as " Uncle Kim." 

Children : 49 Eben, b June 24, 1764; 50 Eliakim, b Dec. 13, 
1766 ; 51 Amy, b Sept. 25, 1770, d 1770 ; 52 Joseph, b Sept. 6, 
1 77 1, d 1774; 53 Mark, b April 27, 1773 ; 54 y///y, b April 4, 
1776 ; 55 Avice, b March 12, 1779, d 1779 ; 56 Joseph, b March 
29, 1780; 57 Moses, b March 16, 1783, d Sept. 14, 1829; 58 
Micock, b March 9, 1787, d 1788. 

30 RICHARD. 

Richard Welton, son of Eliakim and Eunice (Bronson) Wel- 
ton, married Margaret, daughter of Ebenezer Warner, April 27, 
1766. She died Oct. 19, 1768, and he married, 2d, Hannah Da- 
vis, Aug. 7, 1770, who died Dec. n, 1839. 

Children: 59 Noah, b Feb. 15, 1767, d Jan. 26, 1847, ae. 80; 
60 Richard Warner, b Oct. 10, 1768, d Dec, 1768; 61 Richard, 
b May 10, 1770, d Sept. 26, 1807; 62 Margaret, b July 2, 1772, 
m Daniel Steel; 63 Thomas, b Dec. 8, 1774, d April 18, 1856, 
ae. 82; 64 Lydia, b April 1, 1777, m David Roberts of Burling- 
ton; 65 Hannah, b Oct. 10, 1779, m David Warner, went to 
Geneseo, N. Y.; 66 Joseph Davis, b April 15, 1783 ; 67 Re/a, b 
Sept. 9, 1787, d Oct. 16, 1822. 

31 ELI. 

Eli Welton, son of Eliakim and Eunice (Bronson) Welton, 
married Anna Baldwin July 1, 1771. 

Children : 68 Eli, b Aug. 10, 1772; 69 Asa, b Nov. 24, 1773 ; 
70 Phebe, b Sept. 29, 1775, d 1777 ; 71 Eunice, b Aug. 12, 1777 ; 
72 Benoni, b April 19, 1780; 73 Anna ; 74 Printha. 

32 MOSES. 

Moses Welton, son of Eliakim and Eunice (Bronson) Welton, 
married Betta Woster. 

Children: 75 Andrew ; 76 Elizur. 

$7) AARON. 

Aaron Welton, son of Eliakim and Eunice (Bronson) Wel- 
ton married Zera Bronson, Jan. 13, 1777. 



GENE ALOG IKS. 6oi 

Children : 77 Tamos, b Feb. 28, 1778; 78 Junia, b Dec, 1779; 
79 Harvey, b Oct. 28, 1780, d 1782 ; 80 Harvey, b Nov. 2, 1782. 

36 SEYMOUR. 

Seymour Welton, son of Thomas and Abigail (Hickox) Wel- 
ton, married Olive Harrison. 

Children: 81 Harrison; 82 Sophronia ; 83 John P. 

38 JARED. 

Jari-:i> Welton, son of Thomas and Abigail (Hickox) Welton, 
married Philomela Norton. 

Children: 84 Abbe; 85 Ziba ; 86 Emily; 87 Orestes; 88 
Leonard ; 89 Fanny ; 90 Delia A., m Daniel Clark; 91 Almira ; 
92 Maryett. 

46 THOMAS H. 

Thomas H. Welton, son of Thomas and Abigail (Hickox) 
Welton, married and lived half a mile north of Woodtick. 
Child : 93 . 

48 HERSCHEL. 

Herschel Welton, son of Thomas and Abigail (Hickox) Wel- 
ton, married Eunice, daughter of David Prindle of Watertown. 

Children : 94 David T.; 95 Chauncey P., m Jenette Cleave- 
land and had children, Dwight, Caroline, and Ella; 96 Sherman 
E. ; 97 Hannah A.; 98 Ranslin N. ; 99 Hector E. ; 100 Her- 
schel O. 

49 EBEN. 

Eben Welton, son of Eliakim and Amy (Baldwin) Welton, 
married Sarah, daughter of Titus Barnes and removed to Ohio. 

Children: 101 Avice ; 102 Sarah; 103 Selden ; 104 Jacob ; 
105 Elisha ; 106 Caroline; 107 Eben ; 108 Polly. 

50 ELIAKIM, 3D. 

Eliakim Welton, son of Eliakim and Amy (Baldwin) Welton, 
married Loly, daughter of Titus Barnes, Jan. 3, 1788, and re- 
moved to Ohio. 

Children: 109 Orasena, b March 10, 1790, m Thomas War- 
den; no Micha B.,b Aug. 13, 1792^1 Wealthy Upson ; n 1 
Sherman P., b Oct. 24, 1796, d Oct. 1797 ; 112 Sherman P., b 
50 



602 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Oct. 8, 1798, m Ruth Upson ; 113 Sally M.,.b July 7, 1801, m 
in Ohio. 

53 MARK. 

Mark Welton, son of Eliakim and Amy (Baldwin) Welton. 
married Sally Davis and removed to the State of New York. 

Children: 114 Samuel; 115 Truman; 116 Amy ; T17 Hi- 
ram; 118 Harriet; 119 A I intra / 120 Dorcas. 

56 JOSEPH. 

Joseph Welton, son of Eliakim and Amy (Baldwin) Welton, 
married Ellen, daughter of John Warner of Plymouth, and re- 
moved to the State of New York. 

Children: 121 Norman; 122 Charlotte; 123 Warner ; 124 
Emetine ; 125 Eliakim. 

57 MOSES. 

Moses Welton, son of Eliakim and Amy (Baldwin) Welton, 
married Huldah, daughter of Titus Hotchkiss, Aug. 20, 1810. 

Children: 126 Milo, b 181 1, d young; 127 Julia, b Nov. 22, 
1813, m Andrew Hough; 128 Sarah, b Feb. 20, 1820, m Frank- 
lin Hall; 129 Huldah, b' Sept. 12, 1823, m Edward Pratt; 130 
Hester, b April 6, 1825, m Hiram Curtis ; 131 Mary, b April 25, 
1827, m Joel Hungerford. 

59 NOAH. 

Noah Welton, son of Richard and Margaret (Warner) Wel- 
ton, married, 1st, Nabby Chidsey of East Haven, in 1791, 2d, 
Ellen Cowles, Dec, 1804, who died Nov. 26, 1848. He lived 
in Harwinton. 

Children: 132 Miles, b June 15, 1793; 133 Margaret A.,b 
March 28, 1800, d 1803 ; 134 Adaline, b June 15, 1803, m Wil- 
lard Hitchcock of Burlington, April 3, 1822, and removed to Ver- 
mont ; 135 Nabby, b Nov. 17. 1805, m Charles Judson, May, 
1826; 136 Margaret A., b Jan. 2, 1808, m Enoch Marks, May, 
1826; 137 Noah E., b Aug. 12, 181 1, d Oct., 1848; 138 John 
J., b Feb. 2, 1814; 139 Leicester C, b April 20, 1817; 140 El- 
vira^ April 25, 1821, m Rev. Collis Potter of Plymouth, in 
1851; 141 Bela A., b Dec. 25, 1823; 142 Jane, b July 12, 1829, 
m Jared Smith of Harwinton in 1854. 



GENEALOGIES. 603 

6 1 RICHARD. 

Richard Welton, son of Richard and Margaret (Warner) 
Welton, married Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel Gunn, March, 
1797. 

Children: 143 Artemesia, b April 15, 1798, m Laurin Frisbie, 
Nov. 28, 1S21; 144 Edward, b Jan. 19, 1800; 145 Merritt, b 
April 5, 1802; 146 Amy, b April 18, 1804, m Mortimer Jordan 
of Alabama; 147 Hannah M., b July 10, 1807, m Nathaniel 
Hawkins of Alabama. 

63 THOMAS. 

Thomas Welton, son of Richard and Margaret (Warner) Wel- 
ton, married Sybil Cook of Wallingford, Jan. 3, 1797. She was 
born Oct. 10, 1778. 

Children : 148 Lyman, b June 15, 1798 ; 149 Evelina, b Jan. 
23, 1800, m Anson Downs, Oct. 26, 1823; 150 Minerva, b March 
19, 1802, m Burton Payne, Feb. 3, 1828; 151 Sally D., b Sept. 
5, 1807, d 1808 ; 152 Sally D., b June 14, 1810, m Henry Bron- 
son, Oct. 4, 1832; 153 Nancy, b April 12, 1812, m Frederic A. 
Bradley, May 22, 1836. 

66 JOSEPH DAVIS. 

Rev. Joseph D. Welton, son of Richard and Margaret (War- 
ner) Welton, married Eunice, daughter of Victory Tomlinson. 
She died Feb. 29, 1832. He died Jan. 16, 1825. 

Children : 154 Julia M., b July, 1809, m George Warner; 155 
Jlobart ['., b Oct. 28, 181 r ; 1 56 Joseph, b May 15, 18 14. 

67 bela. 

Bela Welton, son of Richard and Margaret (Warner) Welton, 
married, April 16, 18 17, Polly, daughter of Benjamin Morehouse 
of Washington, Conn. She was born Nov. 27, 1792. 

Children : 157 Richard, b Jan. 7, 1820 ; 158 Haivley Seymour, 
b Oct. 13, 1821. 

68 ELI. 

Eli Welton, son of Eli and Anna (Baldwin) Welton, had 
Children: 159 Joel ; 160 Bennet / 161 Eli ; 162 Asa. 

69 ASA. 

Asa Welton, son of Eli and Anna (Baldwin) Welton, married 
Fenn 



604 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Children: 163 Selden ; 164 If/ram, m Harriet, daughter of 
Timothy Ball; 165 Lyman; 166 Emily, m Simeon Phillips; 167 
Heman. 

94 DAVID T. 

David T. Welton, son of Herschel and Eunice (Prindle) Wel- 
ton, married, 1st, Polly Nichols, 2d, Caroline Turner. 
Children: 168 Everett ; 169 . 

95 CHAUNCEY p. 

Chauncey P. Welton, son of Herschel and Eunice (Prindle) 
Welton, married Jenette Cleaveland. 

Children: 170 Dwight ; 171 Caroline; 172 Ella. 

96 SHERMAN E. 

Sherman E. Welton, son of Herschel and Eunice (Prindle) 
Welton, married Caroline Cleaveland, who died June 15, 1856. 
Child : 173 Hattie. 

98 ranslin n. 

Ranslin N. Welton, son of Herschel and Eunice (Prindle) 
Welton, married Mary, daughter of Edward Scott. 
Children: 174 Mary ; 175 . 

132 MILES. 

Miles Welton, son of Noah and Nabby (Chidsey) Welton, 
married, Jan., 18 15, Nancy, daughter of Stephen Graves of East 
Plymouth. 

Children: 175 Streat C, b Sept. 8, 1816; 176 Ximnus, b Dec. 
16, 1817, d Aug. 9, 1822; 177 Albert, b May 7, 1820; 178 Car- 
los, b April 3, 1822; 179 X. Alanson, b March 17, 1824; 180 
Ruth Adaline, b July 14, 1826, m Eben Coll of Plymouth, April. 
1845; l ^ 1 Nancy Ann, b Jan. 25, 1830, m Ralph Humphrey of 
Ansonia, Nov., 1853; 182 Major G., and 183 Marvin B., twins, 
b June 21, 1832 ; 184 Emily IV., b April 17, 1836. 

137 NOAH E. 

Noah E. Welton, son of Noah and Ellen (Cowles) Welton, 
married, 1st, Mehitable Bulkley in 1832, 2d, Lydia J. Chidsey in 
1836. 



GENEALOGIES. 605 

Children: 185 Charlotte A.; 186 Noah J. ; 187 Ellen J. ; 188 

Seymour H. 

138 JOHN j. 

John J. Welton, son of Noah and Ellen (Cowles) Welton, mar- 
ried Maria Wilcox, April, 1840, who died Sept., 1847. 
Children : 189 Charles, b 1841 ; 190 Ellen M., b 1846. 

139 LEICESTER C. 

Leicester C. Welton, son of Noah and Ellen (Cowles) Wel- 
ton, married Cora Matthews of Bristol, Sept., 1845, lived in Illi- 
nois. 

Children : 191 James AT.; 192 Ellen A.; 193 Merritt Hobart. 

144 EDWARD. 

Edward Welton, son of Richard and Sarah (Gunn) Welton, 
married Laura Brown. 

Children; 194 Richard; 195 Noah A.; 196 Caroline A.; 
197 Martha A. 

145 merritt. 

Merritt Welton, son of Richard and Sarah (Gunn) Welton, 
married, removed South, then to California. 

Children : 198 Lamson ; 199 Amy y 200 Lydia E. 

148 LYMAN. 

Lyman Welton, son of Thomas and Sybil (Cook) Welton, 
married Minerva, daughter of Benjamin Judd, Dec. 24, 1822. 

Children : 201 Henry A., b Dec. 2, 1823 ; 202 Franklin L., b 
Dec. 11, 1827; 203 Nelson J., Feb. 15, 1829. 

155 hobart v. 

Hobart V. Welton, son of Joseph D. and Eunice (Tomlin- 
son) Welton, married Adaline, daughter of Luther Richards of 
Vermont, and lives a little east of Waterbury City. 

Children : 204 Edwin £)., b 1836; 205 Sarah C, b 1839; 206 
Harriet A., b 1850. 

156 JOSEPH. 

Joseph Welton, son of Joseph D. and Eunice (Tomlinson) 
Welton, married Mary, daughter of Seabury Pierpont. 



606 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

Children: 207 He be r H, b 1837; 208 Eunice C, b 1839; 2 °9 
Lucy A., b 1841. 

157 RICHARD. 

Richard Welton, son of Bela and Polly (Morehouse) Welton, 
married Abby Mitchel, May 10, 1853. 
Children: 2 1 o Nellie M. ; 211 Richard. 

158 HAWLEY SEYMOUR. 

Hawley S. Welton, son of Bela and Polly (Morehouse) Wel- 
ton, married Eliza Merriam, Dec. 19, 1844. 
Children: 212 Bela; 213 Ric hard. 

167 HEMAN. 

Heman Welton, son of Asa and (Fenn) Welton, mar- 
ried, 1st, Adaline Blakeslee, 2d, A. Carter. 
Children : -214 Oliver Blakeslee ; 215 son. 

175 streat c. 

Streat C. Welton, son of Miles and Nancy (Graves) Welton, 
married Adaline Smith of Orange, N. J., Sept., 1841. 
Children : 216 John S. ; 217 Alanson. 

1 7 7 albert. 

Albert Welton, son of Miles and Nancy (Graves) Welton, 
married Susan A. Bidwell of Northfield, Jan., 1842. 

Children; 218 Francis G. ; 219 Mary E. ; 220 George IV. 

178 CARLOS. 

Carlos Welton, son of Miles and Nancy (Graves) Welton, 
married Maria E. Peck of Farmington, Nov., 1846. 
Child: 220 Henry A. 

179 x. ALANSON. 

Rev. X. Alanson Welton, son of Miles and Nancy (Graves) 
Welton, an Episcopal clergyman some years in Illinois, married 
Harriet F. Root of Guilford, Vt., Sept. 4, 1853. 

Child: 221 Ellen E. 






WIARD. 

AVI ARE, WIRD. 

Solomon Wiard was born in Wolcott in 1780. He married, 
Dec. 7, 1808, Olive Comes, who was born in Danbury, Jan. 10, 
1790. He died July 11, 1829, aged 49. She died Oct. 8, 1869, 
ae. 78. 

Children : 1 Delila, b Oct. 9, 1809, m William B. Bailey, May 
22, 1827; 2 Seth, b April 4, 181 1 ; 3 Cyrus, b Jan. 3, 181 2 ; 4 
Edward, b March n, 181 4, m widow M. H. Smith, in San Fran- 
cisco, Cal., Dec. 28, i860; 5 George, b Feb. 9, 1816, d Sept. 24, 
1821 ; 6 Marion, b Nov. 15, 1817,01 Gad Norton, Oct. 23, 1839; 

7 lunina J., b May 6, 1820, m William B. Cargill, May 9, 1840; 

8 William, b Nov. 10, 182 1 ; 9 George Solomon, b Sept. 16, 
1825; 10 Infant, b Nov. 28, 1826; 11 Harriet; 12 Eveline, b 
July 3, 1827; 13 Angeline T., b Nov. 14, 1828. 

2 SETH. 

Seth Wiard, son of Solomon and Olive (Comes) Wiard, mar- 
ried in New York, April 25, 1853, Janette . 

3 CYRUS. 

Cyrus Wiard, son of Solomon and Olive (Comes) Wiard, mar- 
ried in New Fairfield, Aug. 18, 1853, Lucy Chase. He died, 
April 24, 1873, m Patterson, N. J. 

8 WILLIAM. 

William Wiard, son of Solomon and Olive (Comes) Wiard, 
married Janette Thomas, Oct. 24, 1837. 

Children : 14/0/1/1 Edward, b April 16, 1840, d Feb. 14, 1865; 
15 William F., b Jan. 22, 1843 > l(i Francis E.,b Aug. 18, 1850, 

607 



608 HISTORY OF WOLCOTT. 

d March i, 185 1 ; 17 Gerrick Thomas, b Feb. 16, 1852 ; 18 Hen- 
ry De Forest, b June 16, 1858. 

9 GEORGE SOLOMON. 

George S. Wiard, son of Solomon and Olive (Comes) Wiard, 
married, Dec. 15, 1844, Nancy M. Sherwood of Naugatuck, and 
resides in the northeastern part of Wolcott. His wife, Nancy M., 
died June 19, 1847, ae - 3 1 - He married, 2d, Amanda M. Peck 
of Wolcott, Jan. 9, 1849. 

Children : 19 Georgianna M., b May 10, 1847, ^ J une I 7^ 1862, 
ae. 15; 20 Angeline T., b Dec. 14, 1854, m Edward A. Judd, 
Nov. 28, 1872, and has daughter Grace Judd, b June 6, 1873; 2I 
Charles Edward,'\> May 21, 1858; 22 Dora Etta,h Dec. 24, 
1867. 



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